Chapter 11: Dreams Pass In Time

It was late afternoon as Anakin landed his speeder on Padme's landing deck.After his angry declaration to the Jedi Council of his resignation, Anakin went straight to his Jedi quarters to pack up his belongings. Obi-Wan did not show up to say goodbye, but Anakin did not expect to him to. As far as Anakin was concerned they had nothing to discuss, he had made his decision and that was that. Anakin felt a mixture of emotions. Anger towards the council, and joy as he entered Padme's apartment. This was now his apartment as well, his new home. They could marry and raise their baby without having to answer to anybody. This was the start of a new, and better life for the both of them

R2D2 rolled over to Anakin chirping and beeping a warm welcome.

"Hello R2, its nice see you too." R2 beeped back.

"Sure you can take my suitcases to the bedroom, thank you very much."

Anakin smiled as R2 attached the bags to himself and rolled away cheerily. As R2 moved through the doorway towards the bedroom, C3PO walked past the little droid, and quickly walked over to his maker.

"Welcome home Master Anakin it's so good to see you."

"Thank you 3PO its good to see too. "

"Is Padme home?"

"Oh yes, she's in the kitchen. Mistress Padme has been in there a lot lately."

Anakin laughed. "Well she's eating for two now 3PO."

C3PO stood quietly trying to figure out what his Master meant by "eating for two". "I don't quite understand what you mean."

Anakin grinned amused by his droid's lack of human reproductive knowledge. After all, he did program the protocol droid when he was only ten years old. "Never mind 3PO; maybe some day I'll update your programming, but for now go see if you can help R2."

"Oh absolutely, he's always getting into mistrust. Right now he's probably."

Anakin cut his chattering droid off. "Just help him 3PO."

"Yes Master Anakin." CP3O replied back to Anakin, and walked off in a hurry towards the bedroom.

"Padme my love, I'm home." Anakin's pleasant voice carried throughout the spacious room.

Padme walked into the living area wearing a silvery blue halter silk nightgown with matching robe. The garment was held up on her body by jeweled chains around her neck, and falling off her shoulders. Anakin could now clearly see the expansion of her belly having changed out of her heavy layered Senatorial attire.

"Ani your back, I didn't hear you come in. I was in the kitchen cooking. How did it go with the Council?"

Anakin took a deep breath, and sat down on the red velvety sofa with Padme joining him. "It went exactly how I knew it would go." He said as he held her hand in his.

"What happened? What did they say?"

Anakin studied their laced fingers. "They wasted no time digging into me to let me know how irresponsible I was, and made it quite clear they would not approve of our marriage. Then they gave me an ultimatum where either I abandon you and our baby, or face expulsion from the Order. They actually had the nerve to say to me "it's either us or her" along with a proposal of a future rank of Master by training our youngling if it's proven to be force sensitive. But I would have to control my feelings for you. We couldn't be married, or have any relationship of any kind." Padme could see the visible sign of Anakin's anger from the vein pulsing from the side of his forehead.

"What did you say to them?"

"I made it clear that I would not abandon my future family, and then I told them they could all go to Sith's hell."

"Anakin you didn't."

"I did Padme. I've left the Jedi Order, I quit."

"No, no you can't do that."

"It's my choice. I'll do what I have to do, to be with you."

"You listen to me Anakin Skywalker. I won't have the sacrifice you, and your mother both made all those years ago go to waste. I won't have you give up your dream of being a Jedi knight. You've wanted it ever since I've known you."

"That was when I was ten years old. That was my old dream. It became outdated the moment you walked into my life. I don't have to stay with the Jedi Order. There are other things I could do that I'm good at and enjoy."

"Of course there are, my love. I just want you to be happy."

"I'm happy being with you. The rest of my future I'll figure out in time. "I just need your patience and support."

"You have that, and my love as well. It's just that you've trained to be a Jedi for so long. I don't think you can separate that part of yourself."

"Of course I can't. I'm still a Jedi Padme regardless of whether I'm in the Order.

I'm very strong with the force, and becoming more powerful everyday. I still have my lightsaber, along with all the skills and knowledge I have been taught, and I will use all of it to protect you and our baby. "

"You already have." Padme smiled at him, and grazed her hand over his face.

Anakin looked at her in complete confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Ani, you already saved us once by jumping in front of the Sith lightning Dooku threw towards me in the hangar on Geonosis."

Anakin's eyes expanded; his mouth was wide open in surprise. "You mean you were pregnant then, but I thought it was the last time we were together here in this apartment. So that would mean."

Padme smiled brightly and nodded. "It was at the Lake Country Retreat. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it was that first time outside on the balcony."

"That whole time you were pregnant, and we didn't even know."

Padme nodded. "Um hmm, and I have something else to share with you as well."

Padme got up and walked over to the side of the sofa to pick up a box, and handed it to him."

Anakin opened the box, his eyes bugged out reminding Padme when she had first seen those scandalous pictures splashed on the front pages of The Coruscant Chronicle, The Controversies of Coruscant, and many other newspapers. "Force what is this?"

"Do you remember those holocams that showed up while we were kissing on the roof terrace at the cultural benefit?"

"Yes."

Well it was the press, and all that garbage you have there in that box is just a taste of the nightmare I had to deal with while you were away."

"What? When did this start?"

"Right after you left. I woke up, and Dorme handed me the morning paper. I was shocked, outraged, and completely mortified. It got worse everyday. The press had a field day coming up with wild stories about our relationship; it was everywhere: the holonet, newspapers, magazines, and even on the street."

Anakin looked down at one of the papers, the word "harlot" infuriated him. So much so that he ripped the paper in half, and threw it on the floor. "How dare them say those things; the nerve of these people. No wonder the Council couldn't wait to chew me out."

"That wasn't even the worst of it."

"What was?"

"At the end of that first week of this ordeal the Chancellor called a meeting with the senate regarding the progress of the war. It turned into a fiasco with different senators taking the opportunity to attack, and accuse me of all sorts of ridiculous things involving our relationship. I was ready to walk out in protest with captain Typho. It was the most humiliating incident of my life."

"What did those slimy senators say to you?"

"I don't want to go into it."

"Tell me Padme."

Padme sighed. "They called me a slut, a whore, an embarrassment to the senate, and they even had the audacity to accuse me of trying to use sex to persuade the Jedi Order to ally with Naboo. It went completely out of control"

Anakin looked at her in disbelief. "What? Who came up with that ridiculous idea?"

"Orn Free Taa of Ryloth."

"He's an moronic ass, and so are all the rest of them that had the gall to say that to you especially after everything you've done for the republic, if I ever get my hands on them. The damn senatorial system is falling apart. I told you it doesn't work." Anakin rested his hand on her soft cheek. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there during all this. That you had to deal with all this alone."

Padme held his hand to her cheek. "I wished you were there too. I missed you so much. Fortunately, I wasn't completely alone Dorme was there for me. We've become very good friends. She was especially there for me the day I went to speak with the council, but I'm really starting to regret that I did."

"You have nothing to regret. I know why you went to speak with them, and I understand. You were worried, scared, and you thought you could change their narrow minds. Besides they never wanted to train me in the first place. All this gossip just fueled their desire to finally get rid of me."

"Ani you know that's not true. But as far as the gossip goes it has calmed down; Chancellor Palphetine took care of that."

Anakin smiled at this piece of news. "What did he do?"

"He declared that the press could no longer report anything in the media that wasn't approved by him first because of the sensationalism involving our relationship, and the nasty treatment I had received from the senate. He also added that anyone who disobeyed his new authority "would pay a dear price." In addition, he also demanded the senate to sign a letter of apology to me, which they did."

"Good, I bet that stopped things, and shut their big mouths fast enough."

Padme sighed and shook her head. "Anakin it's not good, he relinquished the freedom of the press. Palphetine now controls the entire inner, and outer workings of the media on Coruscant."

"Padme the media was out of control, and completely out of line. He was only doing what he had to do to stop the chaos."

"I know, but he didn't have to go to such an extreme."

"Well it worked so I'm all for it. The man is all about action. He's a real leader; he's not all talk and I respect that."

Padme frowned. "I know you do, but I still don't agree with him."

Anakin grinned amused on how easily they could get into a tiff on this subject.
"Well we've always had very different opinions when it comes to politics angel." He smiled and put his arms around her.

"Yeah I know, I guess we can't agree on everything,"

"Right, so when are we getting married?"

Padme smiled. "Whenever your ready my love. I'll contact my parents in the morning, and then we can go from there ok?"

"Absolutely, I can't wait."

"Me too. I had visited my parents while you were away. They had already heard about what had happened from the rumors in the press. I came clean and told them we were in love, and that I was pregnant."

"How did they feel about all that?"

"They were really happy for us, and wanted you to come home safe to me."

Anakin smiled. "I'm glad, I really liked them too."

"I'll contact Dorme, and Captain Typho to let them know what we decide our plans are going to be."

"Dorme and Captain Typho don't have to worry about you anymore. I'm here to protect and take care of you, and." He held her close and nuzzled her neck. "Satisfy you."

Padme smiled loving the feeling of getting lost in his mesmerizing blue eyes. "Oh that's definitely a quick change of subject."

"It's the subject I'd like to focus on for the rest of the night." Anakin nibbled her ear while drawing her robe off her shoulders.

Padme giggled the butterflies in her belly beginning to flutter wildly. "It's been so long since we made love. I've forgotten what it's like."

"Let me have the pleasure of reminding you." Anakin said to Padme as he got up from the couch, and reached his hand out to her.

Anakin walked with one arm around Padme's shoulders, and his other hand was placed on her stomach. Every few feet their lips would meet and part. The pleasant sound, and pleasurable feeling of sweet kisses keeping their feet moving slowly to their ultimate destination. When they reached the bedroom Anakin felt a few quick thumps beneath his hand.

"The baby it kicked."

"Yeah that's been going on for awhile now, it's pretty wild."

"That was some kick."

" I think he's going to be a rambunctious one like his father." Padme smiled up at him and kissed the edge of Anakin's mouth."

"You know the sex of the baby?"

"Oh no, I want it to be a surprise."

"Then how do you know?"

"I don't know motherly intuition maybe?

"Well my fatherly intuition says that with a kick like that it's definitely a girl."

"I guess we'll have to wait and see." Padme's eyes met Anakin's in a come hither look that held a thousand pleasurable promises within them. She began to reach around her neck to unhook her nightgown. Knowing he'd lose all control if she succeeded in her goal Anakin grabbed her hands quickly.

"Hold on before we start tearing each others clothes off, I want to do something to make the start of our new life together official."

"What's that Ani?"

Anakin reached into his utility belt, and pulled out a small pair of shears, and handed it to Padme. "Will you do the honors?"

Padme took the scissors, and Anakin pointed to his Padawan braid. She held the shears tight in reluctance. "Are you sure my love?"

Anakin flashed her a big smile and nodded. "Absolutely."

Padme hesitated for a few minutes before finally snipping away Anakin's last connection with the Jedi Order.

Anakin handed her his braid. "Here you can keep this as a souvenir."

"I'll treasure it thank you love." Padme walked over to her vanity, and placed the braid inside her jewelry box along side her other most prized possessions that he had given her.

Anakin walked up behind her, kissed her shoulders, and wrapped his arms around her. "Now where were we?" His hot breath sent warm tingles all over as she watched her nightgown pool to the floor around her ankles. Padme kicked the garment aside, and his clothes soon joined it.

-----

Hours later he heard a baby crying. ."Ani." She was desperately calling for him lying down in some dark place. Her angelic face was pale, and full of tears drenched down to her chin. The baby's cry grew loader. "Ani, help me please." She screamed it was the worst scream he'd ever heard. It was even worse then his mothers. A blood curdling sound mixed in with a baby's cry for help. It pushed him out of this dark tunnel, and into the unknown.

Anakin's nightmare state faded into reality, and he realized he was not alone. Anakin opened his eyes, and saw her beautiful brown ones staring back at him. He was grateful, relieved; she was alive his Padme was alive, and she was in his arms.

"Ani what happened, did you have a bad dream?"

He couldn't answer her. He couldn't do anything, but hold her, and cry into her hair.

"Tell me what's wrong." Padme said while stroking his sweaty back.

Anakin shook his head. " I need to get some air. Go back to sleep my love."

"Ani." Padme called out to him as Anakin left their bed to put on his robe to cover his sweat-drenched body.

"Get some sleep angel."

Padme thought about asking him again, but thought differently of it. He needed sometime to himself then she would go to him, and comfort him.

Anakin stood at the edge of the balcony. His hands were covering his face; the salty dampness of his tears mixing with the sweat of his palms. A phrase came charging back in his memory "dreams pass in time." Obi-Wan was speaking to him. Then he heard his own voice from the past "I'd much rather dream about Padme." There was such a bitter irony to that statement. It seemed so long ago when he was telling Obi-Wan about the nightmares he was having about his mother, and now here he was again on the same balcony. Except this time he was alone. This couldn't be true, this couldn't be happening. Why, why did the people that he loved who loved him always be the ones to suffer? But this time it was not going to happen. No matter what it took it was not going to happen again, and especially not to her. A warm feeling suddenly took over his heart as he felt her soothing presence drawing close to him.

He turned around, and saw the breeze blow through her beautiful wavy hair. "What are you doing up my love?"

"I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. When you're hurting, I'm hurting.

Please tell me what's bothering you?" She rubbed his arm softly.

Anakin looked down and saw a sparkling chain around her neck, and attached to it was the jepor snippet he had given her to remember him by.

Anakin attempted a small smile, and gently touched the tiny intricately carved pendent. "I remember when I gave you this."

"Ani we promised we'd be honest with each other."

Anakin knew there was no way he could put off telling her. "It was a dream."

"Bad?"

"It was about death." Anakin focused on the tall skyscrapers across from them in an attempt to avoid her concerned eyes.

"And?"

"And it was about you." Anakin croaked out the words with tears in his eyes. "Dieing in childbirth."

Padme protectively placed her hands gently on her belly. "What about the baby?"

Anakin shook his head. "I don't know."

"It was only a nightmare."

"Jedi don't have nightmares; we have premonitions. I won't let this one come true."

"And it won't."

"We said the same thing about my mother, and looked what happened."

"That doesn't mean it will happen again. Maybe you can talk to Obi-Wan?"

"Obi-Wan who?" Anakin frowned as he said the name.

"Anakin, he's still your friend."

"Some friend, I wish you were there to see how he sat there in the Council chamber staring blankly at me while they made that vile ultimatum; he just sat there and said nothing. Don't you get it, I'm out it's over, anything that has do with the Order and me. That includes any friendship I thought I had with Obi-Wan. He's my former master now, and that's all he is. I'm my own man, I control my own destiny; I don't have to be anyone's Padawan, or apprentice anymore."

"Obi-Wan's in a difficult position Ani, he's torn between his friendship for you, and his service to the Order."

"He doesn't understand how I feel about you Padme. You should have heard the advice he gave me to get through my feelings for you."

"What did he say?'

"Let's just say you wouldn't be so understanding of his point of view." Anakin raised his eyebrows to get his point across to her.

"In that case I don't think I want to know."

"Trust me you don't. I can't talk to him. Our baby is a blessing. I won't fail you like I failed my mother." He said in a tone very serious, and darker then she'd ever heard him utter before.

"Ani you didn't fail her, and you won't fail us either. Padme reached for his hand, and placed it on her stomach. Nothing bad is going to happen. Now let's go back to bed; the night is cold. I need you to keep me warm."

Anakin and Padme talked for quite awhile after he had confessed to her his horrible nightmare. To try to focus on a much happier thoughts; they spent a great deal of time discussing their wedding, and where they would like to honeymoon. The young couple both agreed to marrying on Naboo, and honeymooning at the Lake Retreat. Later they had made love again, but Anakin's mind was a mess and afterwards he couldn't sleep. Instead he opted to watch Padme as she slept for hours and stroked her hair lightly.

The late morning light reflected off his tired red eyes as he studied Padme's serene breathtaking beauty. He listened to the sound of her breathing, and watched her belly rise and fall. She was everything to him, and he knew that he could not survive without her. He thought back to long ago when he had asked her "are you an angel?" She was his angel; his savior, his life, and now she carried with her a new life that they had created with their love.

A soft beeping sound shook Anakin out of his deep thoughts as it drew closer.

"What is it R2?" Anakin asked quietly.

R2 beeped softly a couple of times. "A message from who?" R2 chirped back.

"All right R2 I'll check it out. Shh we don't want to wake her up." Anakin put his finger to his mouth. R2 moved his dome from side to side in understanding.

When Anakin reached the living room R2 played the message that was transmitted to Padme's apartment. The image of Mas Ameda came into focus. "Senator Amadala, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have an important message from Supreme Chancellor Palphetine. He would like to speak with Anakin Skywalker immediately. I just contacted the Jedi Temple. They informed me that he was not there, but they suggested that I should contact you. If you know where he is please make sure he receives this message. Thank you; good day to you Senator."

R2 beeped and chirped in a nervous chatter. "No R2 don't wake her up let her sleep.

I'll leave a note to let her know where I've gone. You and 3PO keep her company alright?" R2 beeped in response; Anakin patted the little droid on his dome. "Thanks R2." Anakin wasted no time, and headed straight to the refresher for a quick hot shower.

-----

Anakin walked past the two guards on either side of the doorway as he entered Chancellor Palphetine's office.

"Anakin it's good to see you my friend. The Chancellor said as he extended his hand smiling at Anakin.

Anakin walked over to the large picturesque window where the Chancellor stood and shook his hand. "It's good to you too your Excellency."

"I'm glad Mas Ameda was able to find you."

"I received you message; you wanted to see me?"

Palphetine noticed the dark circles under the young man's eyes. "You look tired Anakin. Did you get enough sleep last night?"

Anakin shook his head. "No I had a lot on my mind."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?"

Anakin shook his head again. "No I have to work it out myself."

"Anything you'd like to tell me?"

"No your Excellency I'm afraid not."

Chancellor Palphetine noticed the absence of Anakin's Padawan braid. "I understand you resigned from the Jedi Order. May I ask what happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it. I would like to try to put it all past me."

"And for her too as well?"

"What do you mean her?'

"Come now Anakin the entire star system of Coruscant knows about your relationship with Senator Amadala."

Anakin stared out the window towards the Senatorial building as he spoke. "Yes I know, I just found out about that yesterday." Anakin thought quietly to himself. Yesterday, he wished he could go back to everything before last night, before he heard her scream.

Palphetine's voices broke the young man out of his painful thought. "Anakin I want you to know that you can confide in me."

"I know I can your excellency."

"Good, and now I will confide in you."

"About what?"

"Anakin immense fear has struck my heart. The future of our entire society is hanging on by the breath I've been holding. The separatists are growing more powerful everyday, and are gaining overwhelming support. I've been receiving threats since the war started, but yesterday was the worst."

"What was the threat?"

"I am in great danger my friend. They have threatened to storm the city and kidnap me. If Count Dooku and the separatists succeed they will be able to put forth all sorts of destructive demands."

"What are you going to do?"

"I need your help son."

"My help."

"I would like to appoint you as my personal assistant, and bodyguard. I want to ensure that if by chance they succeed in their plans to destroy me the republic will still be protected. You are already the most gifted Jedi I've ever known with powers, and skills that far surpass any member of the Jedi Council. I can teach you my knowledge of politics. You will be a powerful leader Anakin; some day you could be Supreme Chancellor."

"Me Chancellor, I'm overwhelmed sir that you have that much faith in me."

Palphetine smiled, and patted Anakin on the shoulder. "I do son, I absolutely do.

Do you have faith in me? Will you except my offer?"

"I'm honored your Excellency this is an incredible opportunity, but I have to think this over."

"Anakin we get so few worthwhile opportunities in life. When they come to us, we must grab them full force."

"I know that sir, but this is such a big decision. I need to think it through; I hope you understand."

"I do my friend, you are very wise and patient; the mark of true a ruler."

"Thank your Chancellor. I will be in touch soon to let you know my decision."

"Thank you son." The chancellor extended his hand out to Anakin. He gladly shook Palphetine's hand, and then turned and left.

-----

After his meeting with the Chancellor; Anakin contacted Padme to let her know he would be out for awhile. He decided to visit some of Coruscant's finest libraries to research the subject of premonitions, and what could be done to change them. Unfortunately there was little on the subject to be found. Anakin thought about researching in the Jedi archives, but that was impossible now that he was no longer a member of the Order. In the process of his research he also thought about Chancellor Palphetine's proposal. As the day ended and night began; Anakin was disgusted with his lack of progress towards his research, but had made his mind up in regards to the Chancellor's proposal. The apartment was dark as he walked into their bedroom to discover that Padme was still in bed lying awake.

"Your still in bed my love, did you eat anything?"

"I was up before and ate, but then I went back to bed. I guess I'm still tired from last night."

"Of course you; you were up for half the night." Anakin said as he sat down next to her on the bed, and leaned down to give her a soft kiss.

"I'm glad your home; you were gone for hours."

"I know I had a big decision to make."

"Does this have to do with your meeting with the Chancellor? What did he want to talk to you about?"

"Apparently the separatists are threatening to storm the city and kidnap him."

"Oh my gods Ani. What does he plan on doing?"

"He wants me to be his personal assistant and bodyguard. He said he wants to teach me how to be a ruler. He thinks that someday I could be Chancellor."

"Wow Ani that's incredible."

"Yeah I know."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him I need to think about it, but I already know my decision. I'm going to turn it down."

Padme sat up in bed. "Why?"

"To take on this assignment would mean that I would have to be completely devoted to it, we'd have to postpone our wedding, and I don't want to do that. We've put it off long enough."

"Anakin you should take the position."

"What?"

"Tell me the truth weren't you excited and honored by his offer?"

Anakin sighed. "Yes, and he's a mentor and a good friend too. He's always been so supportive of me. In fact, I almost feel guilty for turning him down, but if it means giving up what I really want most of all then it's not worth it."

"Ani I can't stand the idea of you giving up such a wonderful opportunity because of me. You've already left the Jedi Order. I don't think you should turn this down."

"So when are we going to get married? After the baby is born?"

"What about a few months from now? We still have quite a bit of time."

"We might not have as much time as we think. You could go into labor early." There was a tear in his voice as he said that to her.

"When I spoke with my doctor he didn't think that would happen."

"Yeah, and he could also be wrong." Anakin ran his fingers through his hair tempted to pull it out. Padme grabbed his hand, and pulled it away from his scalp.

"Ani I don't want you to think you have to give up your dreams for me. You might wind up resenting me for it."

"I would never feel that way."

"You say that now, but you don't know; you don't know how you'll feel in the future."

"I don't want to think about the future. All I see ahead right now is clouded darkness."

"That's because you're exhausted my love. Come to bed and rest." She reached for his hand.

Anakin shook his head. "I can't sleep. Padme is this what you really want? You really want me to except the Chancellor's offer?"

Padme smiled. "Yes because I know you will love working beside him."

"Alright, listen I'll take it, but only as a temporary assignment. If the war is still going on two months from now he'll have to find someone to replace me. Because then we are definitely getting married, agreed?"

Padme nodded. "Agreed. Now come to bed."

Anakin shook his head. "I can't, I've got too much going on in my head. I think I'm going to hop in my speeder and go for drive."

"Ani you've been gone all day and you're tired. Stay with me."

"I need to clear my mind. I won't be long my love."

Anakin moved close enough to block her vision only with his own as their lips touched.

But a soft sweet kiss was not what she needed from him. Padme heated up the kiss by sliding her warm tongue into his mouth enjoying his closeness, and hoping to change his mind to leave. Her arms clung around his neck like a vine not wanting to let him go, but behind Anakin's closed eyes the disturbing image appeared again. His eyes flew open in fright and he pulled away from her.

"What is it Ani?"

"It's nothing. I'll be back soon. I love you." He kissed her again quickly, and slid off the bed.

Padme sadly watched Anakin walk out of their bedroom. She was very worried he might do something foolish having gotten very little sleep the night before.

Anakin revved up the jets of his speeder, and shot off into the dark night. He felt awful leaving Padme alone after she had asked him not to go, but he couldn't help it. He had to get away to think. Now they were going to put off their wedding again; he'd have to wait even longer for her to be his wife. Make no mistake about it he was completely blown away by the offer the Chancellor had made to him, and under different circumstances probably would have accepted it immediately. But he knew this new assignment would only decrease his time with Padme, and figuring out what he was going to do about his nightmares. The only reason he agreed to take the position temporarily was because she wanted him to take it, and he didn't want her to think that he would resent her if he turned it down.

Anakin felt like he was slowly, and systematically being driven out his mind. Every time he had attempted to sleep last night he'd see Padme screaming, and would hear a baby crying. He even saw the terrifying image while they were making love whenever he would close his eyes, and just now when they kissed. Anakin wanted to tell Padme, but he couldn't. He didn't want to ruin the mood, and the moment for her.

Anakin was awake in his own worst nightmare. He didn't know how much of this he could take before his mind would totally snap. The young man's deepest, and darkest fear was painstakingly close to coming true, losing Padme forever. Anakin thought back to Mace Windu's words back on Tatooine. "Protect the senator at all costs; that is your first priority." Protecting Padme, and their baby was now his only priority, and would remain so until he found the answer he was searching for. He had no idea how long he had until Padme would go into labor. At most, it was a little bit more then four and a half months.

He was all alone grasping at straws with raindrops hitting his face. The sky had opened up. It was pouring, but Anakin didn't care. He just drove on with the top down whooshing, and swishing from left to right piloting like a crazed maniac. He welcomed the stinging of the rain and cold dampness of his clothes. It was just another reminder of how painful and unfair life could be. He looked at it as a reality check, a wakeup call to never take anything for granted.

Then just as suddenly, he jerked the speeder down a quick descending plunge blasting past opposing traffic racing around him in entirely different directions. A kaleidoscope of bright colors were flashing and rushing past him. Instead of decreasing the speed, he increased it testing the durability of the sleek flying mechanism. The wind and rain was pelting him in his face, and blowing through his hair. His vision blurred from the moisture gathering on his eyelashes. Teardrops and raindrops mixed together.Anakin's emotions were a concoction of complete despair and desperation. From those destructive feelings an idea finally crept into his troubled tired mind. The former Jedi Padawan learner was going to do something he'd never done before. Anakin Skywalker was going to get blind stinking drunk.

-----

Obi-Wan Kenobi had been meditating for hours and still he felt uneasy. He sensed that Anakin was in trouble, and he was worried about him. Searching for serenity, the Jedi Master entered the Jedi temple gardens. It was a quiet room filled with various species of plants and flowers like lotus blossoms, lilies, roses, and even olive trees. The center of the room held a tall fountain with water lilies floating around in the large bubbling pool, and in the daytime warm sunlight would spread from the large windows surrounding the room.

Obi-Wan smiled remembering that this was Anakin's favorite room. He would always find his former apprentice here meditating, walking around, staring at the water, or smelling the sweet fragrance from the beautiful flowers. Obi-Wan had always known why it was Anakin's favorite room although he never confronted him about it. For years he had hoped that his Padawan would learn to let his feelings for her go, but now he realized that it was foolish to think that. Padme was the love of Anakin's life, and he was never going to let her go.

"Your instincts serve you well my old friend." His deep calming voice traveled through the Force. Obi-Wan had not heard that voice in over ten years. The brilliant blue glow of his form radiated and lit up everything in its path.

Obi-Wan looked up in disbelief, and blinked a few times to ensure that his vision wasn't failing him. "Master Qui-Gon what are you doing here? How is this possible?

"I will explain that later, but for now I have a much more troubling issue to discuss with you. Obi-Wan the Force grows dark, Anakin must be wary of his feelings."

"I know Master, I've tried. I tried everything you had taught me." Obi-Wan looked down at the floor in defeat. "I failed him, and I failed you as well. Anakin left the Order to be with Padme and he's not coming back."

Qui-Gon-Ginn shook his head. "You have not failed. Anakin was meant to fall in love with her.

"But what about the Jedi code?"

"As I've said before "you still have much to learn my young apprentice", and the Jedi Order has much to learn about love."

"I don't understand Master."

"You will my friend. You have done an excellent job training Anakin just as I knew you would, and I thank you for that."

"Thank you Master."

"Obi-Wan, Anakin is in great danger; you must help him."

"What do you mean Master?"

"The dark lord of the Sith is coming for Anakin, and soon."

"For Anakin."

"The dark side will try to seduce him, and will succeed unless you help him."

"Me Master, but I thought Anakin was the chosen one?"

"Anakin is the chosen one; I sensed it the moment I met him, but you are the chosen one to help him bring balance to the Force. Anakin cannot succeed in defeating the Sith without your help. Obi-Wan you're his only hope."

"Who is Darth Sidious?"

"The dark side clouds my vision; I sadly cannot tell you who holds that identity."

"What will happen if I fail Master?"

"My heart aches from the overwhelming pain and suffering that I sense will come. Billions of voices will cry out in horror from ruthless death and destruction, innocent women, and children will perish."

Somehow Obi-Wan knew it was true. He could sense trouble the moment Anakin had stormed out of the Jedi Council Chamber. He was already aware that the dark side had almost succeeded in claiming Anakin the night his mother died. Obi-Wan was grateful to Master Windu for being there to stop him. What did Qui-Gon sense, and why couldn't he feel it himself? The dark side was clouding the future and growing stronger. He loved Anakin like a son and a brother, and would do whatever he could to try to stop this terrible fate Qui-Gon-Ginn had foreseen.

"What must I do Master."

He, he, he I know you probably hate me for ending it there. I can't believe I've finally reached this part of the story. I've seen that finale scene in my mind for quite some time. This was by far the longest chapter I've ever posted. For the whole week I wrote this chapter intensely, and had a great time doing it. Please review hope you enjoyed the chapter. I've already started chapter twelve I'll try to get it out as soon as I can.