THE DEPARTED

Chapter Eleven

Padme ran through the halls of the Temple, not caring that she was being chased by several Jedi along the way and stopped short at the doors of the Council. She almost burst right through the doors to demand assistance but logic told almost immediately that that would not be the way to get her children back. She turned back to the now breathless Jedi.

"I need to speak to the Council, please." She stated, surprised by her own calmness.

The Jedi hesitantly blinked back at her, confusion written on their features. Finally, one of them entered the Council meeting room, only to exit several moments later.

Padme waited impatiently for the Jedi to nod, and when he did, she waited for no other response and prompted pushed the doors open, revealing a very apprehensive Council.

She allowed her eyes to wander the members of the room for only a moment for fear of whom she might see. She caught a glimpse of him in the corner of her eye, but quickly moved her gaze to the other curious faces in the Council.

Before any member of the Council could either welcome or chastise her, Padme quickly began.

"I'm sorry for barging in here like this. I know that in any normal circumstances you would never hear the plea of someone like me, but I beg you to listen to what I have to say."

She paused for only a moment as her eyes drifted to Anakin's pale face. For a fleeting moment, it felt so good just to see him again. She immediately noticed the scar on his face and a flash of concern for him flooded over her. But she pushed that away and focused on the reason she was there.

Anakin, however, didn't know what he felt as his starved eyes beheld her for the first time since she had left the Temple, seemingly forever. But now she was back…and the only emotion that stuck out above the over hundred was fear. The only reason she had come back was because something had happened…and she was alone, which could only mean…

A cold hand took hold of his heart as he gripped his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned a sickly white. The only thing he could do now was wait for her to explain whatever it was she had to say. He swallowed nervously and gripped the arms of his chair a little tighter when he heard Padme begin to speak again.

"Something horrible has happened…my children…they've been kidnapped."

A loud murmur rang through the room as Anakin nearly fell out of his chair in shock. Kidnapped? Children? He quickly covered his mouth to hide his reaction but when his trembling hand threatened to make the situation even worse for him, he shakily straightened his tunic. His eyes helplessly bored into Padme's and his fear only heightened when she refused to meet his gaze.

"Miss Naberrie, I'm truly sorry for your current situation." Mace replied sincerely.

Padme nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Master Windu. I came here today because I need your help in getting them back. I know I won't be able to do it on my own, especially since I haven't had any training or experience in this in almost two years. I truly believe that if I don't receive your help, I will never see my children again."

Mace rubbed his chin thoughtfully and cast a gaze towards Yoda before replying.

"You've been expelled from the Order. By every law in the Jedi Code, we cannot give you assistance, more matter how dire the circumstances."

Padme shook her head furiously, tears threatening to form in her eyes. "Please…you don't understand. They're the only good I have left in my life. They're my reason for living…my reason waking up every morning. Yes, I broke the Code. But that doesn't erase the years of my life that I dedicated to the Order. I served willingly and faithfully since I was a child. I beg you, please, do this for me as former peers…former friends even…I know that while the Order is forbidden to love, it is not forbidden to show compassion or sympathy. Please, if not for me, then for my children, who are innocent in all of this and don't deserve to be punished for my actions."

Silence took hold of the room as all eyes remained focused on Padme, each member deep in thought about the course of action they should take. Finally, Mace Windu spoke.

"Miss Naberrie, could you please step outside so the Council can discuss this matter?"

Padme nodded and quickly obliged so she could begin looking for her children as soon as possible.

Once Padme had left the room, the members of the Council looked at each other apprehensively. Several moments of uneasiness passed before one voice spoke up.

"Help her, we must. Expelled, she was. But kidnapped, two children were."

Several other Council members nodded in agreement.

"I agree with Yoda. The Jedi Order was established to protect those that cannot protect themselves. We would be contradicting everything the Order stands for if we don't help her find her children." Obi-Wan responded, his eyes moving to meet Anakin's gaze and noted how the worry seemed to fade from Anakin's eyes.

An echo of agreement floated through the room and it was settled then.

"Now, who should we send?"

"I'll go." Anakin replied quickly, attempting not to look as eager as he was to help Padme.

Mace eyes him carefully for a few moments before quickly shaking his head.

"No…Master Kenobi will go."

Anakin's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fist in a desperate attempt to keep his emotions at bay as well as hidden from the Council. But that didn't stop Obi-Wan from noticing his former apprentice's reaction and he winced quickly before nodding his acceptance of the assignment.

"I will tell Padme the news and begin preparations."

The rest of the Council members nodded their heads in agreement as Obi-Wan left the room, but not before casting a weary glance in Anakin's direction.

Obi-Wan opened the door and couldn't help but smirk at Padme's pacing form.

"Padme?"

Padme froze and turned to stare at Obi-Wan, impatiently waiting to hear what he had to say.

"The Council has agreed and they're sending me to help you."

She covered her mouth with her hand and quickly rushed into Obi-Wan's arms.

"Thank you, thank you so much…I didn't they would actually help me...I should go thank them…"

She started opening the door but Obi-Wan stopped her. "Padme, I'm sure the Council knows you're grateful. But now, we need to concentrate on finding your children."

Padme sighed and nodded. "You're right. It's probably best if we take my ship. That way, she won't know the Jedi are helping me."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement and they began walking briskly towards Padme's ship when Obi-Wan abruptly stopped.

"Wait…she? Padme, you know who took them, don't you?"

"Yes, but that can wait until later."

"Alright…by the way, the Council also instructed me to give you this."

He reached into his cloak at retrieved a light saber. "I know it isn't yours, but the Council has granted you leave to use this until your children are found."

Padme hesitantly took the weapon in her shaky hands and couldn't believe how good it felt to hold a light saber in her hands. "Thank you, Obi-Wan. Not just for this…but for everything."

Obi-Wan nodded and soon, they were in Padme's ship, making sure that they had everything they needed, especially weapons. Neither, however, noticed the cloaked figure board their ship.

Once they were in space, Padme sat back in her chair and sighed with relief. When she came to the Temple, she had truly believed that they would laugh in her face and send her away. But by some miracle, they had agreed to help her find her children again. And now they were on their way to get them back. Her thoughts drifted to Anakin's shocked and pale face…she couldn't imagine how he was feeling right now. He had just found out that not only did he have two children, but they had been kidnapped as well. She was sure that seeing her again didn't make things any easier for him.

"Padme?"

She snapped out of her thoughts and stared back at Obi-Wan. "Yes?"

"Would you like to tell me now why you set course for Alderaan?"

She sighed and nodded. "Sabe…Senator Amidala kidnapped my children."

Obi-Wan leaned forward in his chair, confusion and concern etched on his face.

"What? Why would she do that?"

"It's a long story…she's always been very jealous of me and most importantly, she…she thinks Anakin is the father of my children…he's not…but…" She trailed off as she stared at the cloaked figure as it stepped closer to them through the darkness. She continued to stare in shock as the figure drew down its hood…revealing Anakin.

"Anakin." She whispered.

Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed, not at all surprised by this new development.

"Padme," He whispered as he stepped closer. "You know that's a lie…"