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Survival

Title: Survival
Timeframe: End of ROTS
Summary: Obi-Wan didn't go to Mustaphar. What effect does it have on Anakin? What will happen to Padme?
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As he rolled over and reached out for something to defend himself, his hand found her soft form and made him aware that it had all been a dream and this time, she was the reality. Anakin Skywalker couldn't believe it. He shouldn't be here. Just yesterday he had stood on the lava planet Mustaphar, facing his dear wife, Padme.

He had been so stupid. He saw that now. He had told Padme that they would rule the Empire together. She had backed away from. He had then told her how he had brought peace. Padme had stared at him in disbelief.

Peace? Anakin, you murdered children!"

To protect you! My powers will keep you from dying!

I am not going to die, Anakin. I promise you. Killing isn't going to fix anything.

It will! You don't know it, Padme. You don't know of my power!"

"You left me, Anakin. You've betrayed me!" Padme had cried out, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"What? No I haven't!"

"Yes you have! You're not my Ani. The person in front of me is in love with power. My Ani would never-"

"I'm not Anakin anymore!" he roared, "He is dead!

"Then I am a widow. My child is fatherless," Padme said coldly, "I have no need to be here."

"Stop!" he had commanded.

"Why? Are you going to slaughter me if I don't obey. Fine. Kill me. You will be killing more than just a woman and her child. You will be killing my Ani completely," Padme responded bravely, "My Ani won't harm me."

He had approached Padme, lightsaber clenched angrily in his hand. He ignighted it. He brought it down to her throat. He had intended to decapitate her.

"Tell Ani I love him," Padme said softly, "Tell him that his family loved him.

He froze. Anakin woke up. He turned off his blade and collasped to his knees. What had he almost done. Padme sat next to him. He leaned into her, apologizing within sobs. They left that dreaded planet a few hours later. The nightmare was over.

Anakin stared at his wife's back. They were on their way to Naboo. Padme's time was growing near. She had wanted to prepare a room for the baby in the Lake Country and by the Force he was going to make it happen. He knew Obi-Wan would find him one day, along with Sidous. He would deal with them as they came. For now, it was Padme.

She stirred beside him. The hellish nightmare was over. A new day was dawning, one without darkness, without fear. Love had saved him. Love would save her. Love would survive.
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Padme and Anakin arrived on Naboo late the next night. The Jedi were dead. There was no reason to hide their relationship anymore. Padme and Anakin traveled to her parents' house. Padme was still wearing her brown outfit, which showed how pregnant she was.

Padme's father answered the door, "Padme?"

"Dad," she smiled weakly at him. Ruwee could only stare at his daughter. She was pregnant!

"Dad, we need to talk."
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Padme sat next to Anakin on the couch in the living room. She had just explained everything, save Anakin's brief turn to the Dark Side.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Padme said quietly.

Jobal shook her head. She went over and hugged her daughter, "Oh, Padme, I was so worried! When we heard about the attacks, we didn't know what to think!"

Padme hugged her mother back. She didn't know what attacks her moher was talking about. Probably the one on the Jedi Temple. Padme had gone out of her way to keep any news away from Anakin.

"You must be tired," Jobal commented, "we can talk more in the morning. I want to see that wedding recording, also."

"Of course, Mom," Padme replied warmly, "Anakin, you remember where my room is?"

"Yes," Anakin stood up. He left the room. Anakin walked into his wife's old bedroom. He stared out the window at the dark landscape. Sidous would want to know where he was soon. He would be waiting.

Anakin shook his head. He had to find a way to block himself from Sidous. If he sensed Anakin, the results would be disastrous.

Anakin heard Padme come down the hall. He quickly banished the thoughts from his mind and prepared for bed. He wouldn't worry Padme. He had done enough of that himself.
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Padme clutched Anakin's hand as they sped to the Lake Retreat. They had left the Naberrie's early that morning. Padme told her parents very little. She didn't want to put them in any danger.

She rested her hand on her belly. It was hard to believe that forty-eight hours ago she stood on Mustaphar, arguing with Anakin. She hadn't learned everything that he had done, she probably never would. Padme wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

The speeder slowed to a stop. Anakin latched it to the dock. He stepped out, then helped Padme. Padme was struck with a memory of three years ago when he had done the same. They hadn't admitted they loved eachother yet. They hadn't even kissed.

Things had changed so much. There were no servants waiting for them. They had been gone for years. Anakin unloaded their bags and carried them inside. Padme followed slowly, overwhelmed. Her parents hadn't been very pleased with their decision to come out there. It was far away from any medical facilities. Padme had assured them that she would be fine. Anakin would take care of her.

Padme stepped into the bedroom where Anakin was unpacking a bag. She slid next to him, wrapping an arm around his waist, "Promise me something."

Anakin stopped what he was doing, "Anything."

"Next time something is bothering you or has you worried, tell me. Don't keep anything from me," Padme said, "Tell me the truth. I don't want it to happen again. I won't be able to take it."

Anakin nodded, "I will, Padme, I promise. Never again."

The couple embraced tightly as storm clouds rolled in. Padme buried her face in his chest, praying it would never happen again.
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Anakin sat quietly out on the balcony that afternoon. Padme had gone to lie down for awhile. Soon, he was going to have to tell her what he had done. He didn't want her to hear from others. He wanted her to know the truth. He was also going to have to find a way to keep Sidous away. Anakin knew this would be the first place Sidous would look for the couple. He couldn't tell Padme no, though. He knew that he had to keep her safe.

Lord Vader.

Anakin quickly blocked the voice from his head. He had to block Sidous. He erected several mind shields. It was time to come up with a plan, and fast. His family depended on it.
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Darth Sidous sat in his office. Darth Vader had no answered any of his calls, both with the holocomm and the Force. He was hiding something. Unfortunatly, Sidous had been too involved with his fight with Yoda to realize right away. Yoda's body still had not been found. Sidous suspected that he had gotten away somehow. He would not voice that to anyone; however, it would be dangerous.

Sidous tried probing Vader again, but this time was met with a strong mental shield. No one had been able to block him before, but no one was as powerful as Skywalker. This could only mean on thing. It was the woman. She had somehow found him and done something. Sidous should have killed her when he had the chance. That definitely would have sent Skywalker to the Dark Side.

Sidous had a hunch where his apprentice would be. Naboo. It would not take long to fetch him. He sat back in his chair. Not long at all.
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Anakin watched his wife as she puttered around their room, arranging flowers. He hated to tell her, but he had to, "Angel?"

Something in Anakin's voice made Padme turn with concern written all over her face, "What's wrong?"

"Angel, we can't stay here. Sidous knows I'm here," Anakin started.

"Sidous?"

"Palpatine. Sidous is his Sith name. He is still my Master," Anakin explained.

"You've turned back! He's no longer your Master," Padme stated. She walked over to him, placing her hands on her arms, "Please tell me that you aren't going back."

"I'm not. He can sense me where ever I am," Anakin told her.

"Ani, we'll never be safe, will we?" she asked quietly, "What did you do? Tell me."

Anakin lead her over to their bed. They sat down. He took her hand in his cool mechanical one. He laid his real hand on her stomach, caressig it gently, "I helped kill Master Windu. Palpatine had been taunting me, saying I needed to Dark Side to save you from death. I realized he was a Sith Lord, the one we have been searching for. I told Master Windu. He and three others went to go arrest him. I stayed in the Council chambers. I stood at the window, staring at your apartment. I felt as if you were staring back at me. I couldn't let you die. I can't."

Anakin's voice broke. Padme took his real hand in hers and squeezed it tightly, "Take your time, love."

Anakin took a deep breath, then continued, "I heard him in my head. He told me that if he was killed, the ability to save you would be gone. I knew I had to go. I tried to talk Master Windu into letting him stand trial, but he claimed he was too dangerous. I have never been so confused, Padme. I had to make the same decision about Dooku. I shouldn't have killed him. Anyways, Master Windu would listen. I cut off his arm, the Sidous shot him with Force lightning and he was gone. I was so disgusted with what I had done that I just gave up. I surrendered."

Padme wrapped an arm around Anakin. By now, tears were rolling down his cheeks in shame for what he had done. Tears filled Padme's eyes too. Her poor Ani had been manipulated. She felt anger at Palpatine, but banished it away, "Then what?"

"I killed them," Anakin said simply in a way that reminded Padme of Tatoonie three years ago, "I marched into the Temple and killed them. I slaughtered Masters. I murdered the children! They looked at me for protection and I killed them!"

Anakin buried his face in her shoulder, "I then went to Mustaphar and killed the Seperatist leaders. I slaughtered them like animals."

Padme held her breath, waiting for the I hate them,but it never came. She had been afraid when he had said that before, afraid of what he may become.

"I cried after their deaths. I went to tell Sidous. Then I saw you come. I thought about killing you, Padme. I wanted you to die. I felt you had betrayed me. I am so sorry! I cannot begin to make up for what I have done," Anakin clung to her tightly. Padme held him to her, stroking his hear. She let him cry. She was appalled at what he had done, but pushed it away. Palpatine had made him do those terrible things. He was the one to blame.

"We have to go, Padme. I'm sorry. I know this is where you want to be, but he is on his way now. He will try to kill you and our baby," Anakin said, voice muffled.

"We'll leave once you are ready, my love," she whispered. Anakin nodded. He pulled away from her, drying his eyes, "I don't deserve another chance."

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Ani. Let's take ours."
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Anakin and Padme bought a cheap, old ship to leave Naboo in. Nobody knew where they were going or that they even left. Padme hated not telling her family, but that's what she had to do. Her and Anakin took the ship to Tatoonie. Anakin had always told Palpatine that he would never return. Anakin had been working on making himself small in the Force before his turn. He used it now. He and Padme arrived at the Lars' moisture farm. They found out from Cliegg where to find suitable dwellings. They then traveled to a small town called Mos Emada. It was on the oppisite side of the planet. Anakin and Padme took on new names, Darryl and Lily. They found dwellings in a tiny apartment building.

"I'm sorry, love," Anakin said quietly as they unpacked, "I
know this isn't what you wanted."

"As long as you are with me, its okay," Padme answered.

Anakin stopped what he was doing and hugged her tightly, "We'll go back to Naboo someday, I promise."
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Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi had tried to board Senator Amidala's ship when she left days ago, but he had been spotted by Captain Typho. Now he had no idea where the Senator or Anakin were.

Obi-Wan tried to think of everyone Anakin had contact with. There were so many. Three stood out, however, Cliegg, Owen, and Beru Lars. Last he had heard, Cliegg was not well. Obi-Wan didn't know why they stood out. It must be the Force. Obi-Wan set course for Tatoonie.
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Sidous frowned even deeper. He had just arrived on Naboo and could not sense his apprentice. How could this be? He had always been able to sense Anakin, even when others couldn't.

Sidous went to the Naberrie household. They claimed to the trooper who went to the door that they hadn't see the couple in days. Sidous could sense they were telling the truth. He scoured the planet, finding nothing. Amidala's ship was still there, but they weren't.

Where could they be?
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Padme was lying on their bed, Anakin next to her, his hand on her stomach.

"How did you come up with our names?" Padme whispered.

"I'm meeting Kister tomorrow. You remember him? Well, there was this old story his mom used to tell us about two spies, Daryl and Lily. It was our favorite. We used to play it all the time. One of us would be Daryl, the other one of the many villians," he explained, "We'll have new ones tomorrow."

"Are we staying here?"

"Yes."

Padme nodded, "Who will I be?"

"Whoever you want. No names are attached to this place. That's how Tatoonie is," Anakin responded.

"Yes, I remember," Padme said quietly, "All too well."
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"Daryl!" Kister said joyously as Anakin entered a cantina. He sat across from his old friend.

"Tell me, what's going on in these parts?" he asked.

"Not much activity. Business is slow," Kister told him.

Anakin nodded, understanding. He had contacted Kister at the Lars', asking him to keep a look out for anything unusual.

They chatted for awhile, appearing casual. It was important to keep up the charade. Kister was the only one who knew they were in the city, but no one knew were.

Kister and Anakin left after a while. Anakin took a long and twisting route back to he and Padme's. Time for new identities.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi set down on Tatoonie on the outskirts of a small city, Mos Emada. He had searched everywhere for his former apprentice. He walked the streets, hunting. He suddenly glanced to the right and saw someone in the shadows. The man was dressed in traditional Tatoonie garb and had a hood pulled up, but Obi-Wan could recognise that cocky gait anywhere. It was Anakin. Obi-Wan went to tail him, but Anakin turned around, "You!"

"A-"

"Hush!" he said, glancing around. He grabbed Obi-Wan's arm and drug him through an alley, "Be quiet."

Obi-Wan was puzzled. Anakin didn't feel dark. Actually, he couldn't sense him at all. Was this some sort of trick?
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Anakin took Obi-Wan into he and Padme's apartment. She was surprised to see him, "Obi-Wan?"

"He's been looking for me," Anakin told her. He turned to Obi-Wan and went into a lenghtly explaination of what had happened.

When he finished, Obi-Wan stared in shock, "Wow. I'm glad you are back, Anakin."

"Thank you, Master, but no one can know we are here. You have to disappear," Anakin responded.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "No, I will stay here and keep an eye out. I can find quarters near by."

Anakin glanced back at Padme. She nodded slowly, "Once the baby comes, we'll need someone to keep a look out."

"I will be discreet, my lady," Obi-Wan replied.

Padme waved her hand, "None of that. We have to take on new identies."

Obi-Wan nodded, "Ben."

"Um...," Anakin tried to think.

Padme grinned, "I could call you Palo."

Anakin glared at her, "No."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong with it?"

Padme chuckled, "My first boyfriend."

"Ahh," Obi-Wan responded, understanding.

"Anyways," Anakin said loudly, then lowered his voice, "No one heard your name other than Kister and he doesn't recognise you anymore, Padme. We can keep your name Lily."

Padme nodded, "What about you?"

"I'll have to think," Anakin answered, then asked, "How did you know it was me, Master?"

Obi-Wan started, surprised Anakin had said that, "Your walk."

"My walk?"

"You have this gait that is so cocky and sure, I knew it was you."

Padme started laughing, "He's right."

Anakin frowned, "You delight in insulting me, don't you."

"Not at all," Obi-Wan replied.

A gasped came from Padme. Anakin whirled around, "What is it?"

"I think I just had my first contraction," she said after a moment.

Anakin's eyes grew wide, "Now?"

"I can't pick the time, Anakin. We have some time, though," she responded.

Anakin looked at Obi-Wan. Now what?
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Sidous had no leads on Vader. He had been searching as much as he could. Of course, creating an Empire took time too. He had spies looking for his apprentice. They hadn't come up with anything at all!

Sidous stood on a platform on Kashyyk, observing the wookies in chains. He had played his cards right so it appeared that the wookies tried to kill several "important" beings and thus needed to be controlled. Now the Empire had slaves.

Sidous didn't want a new apprentice. Anakin Skywalker was the perfect canidate. He would find him and when he did, that woman would die. Sidous would not have anyone to distract Vader.

Not this time.
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