Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. It all belongs to LFL.
AN: Hi everyone! Here's chapter 8! Thanks for all the great comments and reviews!
A Matter of Trust
Chapter 8: Shroud of Darkness, Ray of Light
Padme's eyes fluttered open, and she was met by the gaze of her husband.
"Morning angel," he smiled.
"Morning Ani," she replied, as she rested her head atop his chest and breathed in his familiar scent.
"I wish we could stay like this all day," Padme said.
"Well...we could. All you have to do is call Jar Jar and have him fill in for you," Anakin replied.
"As nice as that sounds Ani, I can't. There will be much to discuss in the Senate today now that Grevious is dead. We have to apprehend the remaining separatist leaders," Padme replied.
"Well, I think you should still be resting. As for the separatists, Nute Gunray will hide like the coward he is I'm sure," Anakin replied.
"Jar Jar, Bail, Mon Mothma, and some of the others will be here soon. We're having a short briefing before today's sessions," Padme said, as she shuffled out of bed. She threw her robe on and headed for the fresher. Anakin was right behind her. She stopped at the door, as Anakin lips continued to find their way long the back of her heck. It was amazing how all her concentration seemed to fly out the window when he kissed her.
"What are you doing?" she asked playfully.
"Me? Oh, I just thought you might want some help in the shower," he replied with a grin.
"Hmmm...that sounds wonderful," she replied, as she pulled him into the fresher with her.
The door chimed and Dorme let the guests in.
"Ani! Meesa so happy to see yousa!" Jar Jar said, as he hugged Anakin.
"Ooof...it's good to you too Jar Jar," Anakin replied.
"Yousa bein married to Senator Padme is a muy muy surprise. Yousa lookin' so happy together!" Jar Jar replied excitedly.
"Yes, we didn't exactly expect any of you to find out the way you did," Padme told her guests.
"It's okay Padme. We understand why you both had to keep it a secret. I for one, never did understand that no attachment rule the Jedi have. Love is a wonderful thing," Bail said, extending his hand to Anakin. Anakin smiled and shook it graciously. He knew that Bail thought of Padme as a younger sister and it was nice to have his support.
"Thank you Senator Organa," Anakin replied.
"Please Anakin, call me Bail," the senator replied. Padme led her guests to the sitting room where they began their committee meeting.
Master Yoda and Master Windu sat in Chancellor Palpatine's office.
"Now that General Grevious is dead, we implore you to release your emergency powers," Mace said.
"Forgive me master Windu, but I disagree. Until all the separatist leaders are captured, this war is not over," Palpatine argued.
"Yes, but they will soon be captured. Therefore, there is no more need for you to hold emergency powers," Mace replied.
"Do you even know where they are hiding?" Palaptine questioned. Mace and Yoda exchanged glances.
"Obi-Wan overheard that they were going to the Mustafar system before he killed the general. But not that has changed," Mace said.
"So, you lost track of them?" Palpatine asked knowingly.
"Only for now Chancellor. Master Unduli and Knight Offee have been assigned to track them and then pinpoint them. Once they can find them, they will be arrested. Padawan Caelan will continue to maintain your security," Mace replied.
"I'm sorry then Master Windu, but until they are in custody, I cannot feel confident about releasing my emergency powers," the Chancellor replied. Mace and Yoda nodded respectively and then saw themselves out. About that time, Padawan Caelan reported to the Chancellor before the day of Senate sessions was about to begin.
The senate was in uproar this morning. Many Senators, those most loyal to Palpatine, were demanding for Padme's resignation. Others defended her, saying that her personal life should not be on display. Anakin watched silently from the balcony above the body of the Senate. He watched his beautiful wife rebuke their responses with that same fire he fell in love with. He did not care for the way some of these slimy politicians were speaking to her, but as always, she was proving that she was perfectly capable of defending herself. So, he was content to just be there and offer her the silent support of his presence. Later at home, he would be there to pull her into his arms and assure her that everything would be okay.
"The senate recognizes Senator Organa from the sovereign system of Alderaan," Mas Amedda announced.
"We should set aside Senator Amidala's personal life and discuss more pressing matters, such as the ending of this war. Chancellor Palpatine, as speaking representative of the delegation of 2000, we ask that you set aside your emergency powers and allow democracy to resume," Bail said.
"I'm sorry Senator Organa, but until the Separatist leaders are brought to justice, this war still exists. I cannot feel confident about giving up emergency powers until the Jedi have tracked them down," Palpatine said.
"Master Yoda and Master Windu assure me that it will not be long," Bail argued.
"Once they are captured, I will release my emergency powers. But not before then," Palpatine said, ending the debate. The session droned on, brining many other topics up for discussion.
"Chancellor Palpatine has refused to give up his emergency powers," Mace informed the council.
"Master Unduli, have you and knight Offee made any progress in finding the separatist leaders?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked. Luminara, who was attending the council meeting by hologram responded.
"Not yet, I'm afraid. The leaders of the separatists have covered their tracks well. You don't think the dark Lord has found a new apprentice yet, do you?" Luminara asked.
"Not yet, I do not think. But many agents of evil, the dark Lord has. May have employed one to see to the escape of the separatist leaders in order to continue the war, he could have," Yoda said.
"Chancellor Palpatine has been in office for over three terms. He must give up his emergency powers so elections for a new chancellor can begin. We would have to take temporary control of the Senate in order to do this however," Mace said.
"To a dark and dangerous place this takes us," Yoda warned.
"Yes, many in the Senate are already untrusting of us," Kit Fisto added.
"Yes, Skywalker and Amidala have not helped that situation at all," Mace said bitterly.
"Blame them you must not, Mater Windu. Believe I do, that it is the will of the Force that they are together," Yoda revealed.
"Master Yoda, you can't seriously be siding with Skywalker," Adi Gallia protested. Mace Windu was silent, but it was clear that he would be speaking with Yoda alone.
"We shall discuss this more tomorrow. For now, we are adjourned," Mace announced. The council members began filing out.
"Stay and speak with us you will Obi-Wan," Yoda requested.
"Obi-Wan nodded and sat back down.
"Much to discuss we have master Windu," Yoda said.
"Yes, apparently we do," Windu remarked icily. Obi-Wan winced inwardly. Master Windu was not going to like what Master Yoda had to say.
"Why have you sided with Skywalker all the sudden? It is best that we expelled him," Mace said.
"Believe that, I do not anymore," Yoda replied. Mace blinked a few times.
"I don't understand your change master. He broke the code and in the worst way! He is far too emotional and attached to be a true Jedi," Mace replied.
"Thinks differently, an old friend of ours does. Convinced me that Anakin is the chosen one, he has," Yoda said.
"Who is this friend you speak of?" Mace asked.
"Found the path to immortality, master Qui-Gon has. Visited me through the Force he did a few nights ago. Blazing a new path for the Jedi, Anakin is. Change we must embrace and accept, lest wish to be destroyed, we do," Yoda stated.
"Qui-Gon has always believed in the boy. I do not think he is in a position to be objective when it comes to Anakin," Mace argued.
"Forgive me master, but I believe that Qui-Gon is in a very objective position. He's been watching over all us these past years, especially Anakin. Master Yoda said that he was very worried about Anakin's path until Padme saved him from the dark side," Obi-Wan replied.
"What changes are you suggesting, master Yoda?" Mace asked.
"Discuss this with the rest of the council, we will. Perhaps time it is to make revisions to the code," Yoda suggested.
"Change the code? Allow attachment! I'm sorry master, but that is something that I will not support. It will destroy the order!" Mace yelled.
"Calm yourself you must, master Windu," Yoda said. Mace sighed and closed his eyes, reaching deeply into the Force to release the negative emotions.
"Forgive me master, but I do not agree with this. Nor will many other members of the council. I'm afraid you may be outvoted. Now, if you'll excuse me," Master Windu said, as he got up and left the council chambers.
"That did not go very well," Obi-Wan sighed.
"Present our case to the council, we will. Let the Force guide us from there, we will," Yoda instructed. Obi-Wan nodded and got up to leave. Yoda hobbled up and left for his quarters to do some meditating.
The clawdite assassin stared down at the dead female Jedi padawan and her dead master. Zeel Wesell, younger sister to the deceased Zam Wesell, extinguished her blood red saber.
For the last two years, she had been training as an assassin for Darth Sidious. Trained by Count Dooku, she was informed by the Sith that her midichlorian count was not high enough to become a full fledged Sith apprentice. But her shape shifting abilities had proven to invaluable to the dark Lord and she was well compensated. Under Count Dooku's tutelage, she had learned how to study her victims in order to properly emulate their force signatures, which was needed in order to fool the Jedi. Dooku had also taught her to perfect her shape shifting abilities so that she was able to hold any form she desired for as long as she needed.
Darth Sidious had given her the ultimate task now. She had been assigned to observe Jedi Padawan Tia Ranier. Once she learned how to emulate her Force signature, she killed her and her master, and took on the padawan's identity. She was careful to cloak her presence around the padawan, as she died so that the Jedi would not sense it through the Force. They would sense the death of her master, but not the padawan. She burned the padawan's body to destroy any question against her true identity.
As for the master, she made sure she had struck her saber in dark places of the Jedi's dark brown cloak. Then, she took out her blaster and shot the body, making it appear that the Jedi Knight had been killed by droid enemy fire. She highly doubted that the council would want to inspect the body of another dead commrad. The would order her to give the body a proper funeral pyre and then return to the temple. Master Sidious had informed her that Tia was Zara Caelan's best friend. It was now her job to help the dark Lord to turn this girl away from the ways of the Jedi and towards the Sith. She knew her master was still furious for losing the prospect of turning Anakin Skywalker and she would not fail him in this assignment.
Curiously, she found out from her master that padawan Caelan had an infatuation with Anakin. It was now part of her job to turn that into obsession, and fuel her jealousy, anger and rage. Zara Caelan would turn, she would see to it. The clawdite changeling looked over her new form's reflection in the pond. She was an attractive human female about 20 years old with flaxen blonde hair and blue eyes. She stood rather tall and slender at 5'8. She placed the girl's yellow bladed saber on her belt and concealed her red bladed one away in her pack. Now all she had to do was contact the Council and get orders to return to the temple.
She was dreaming again. Dreaming again of the day that Anakin had saved her life in that horrible explosion. How he had carried her to the medical unit and sought medical attention for her. How he was there when she woke up. But then the dream took a turn to things that hadn't happened that day. She leaned up, trying to bring her lips to his, but she was horrified when he backed away from her.
"No Zara, I don't love you. I love Padme," he told her coldly. As he said that, the senator appeared and wrapped her arms around Anakin. She leaned up, bringing her lips to his. He did not back away from her. In fact, he lowered his onto hers, moving them passionately over hers again and again. Jealousy boiled inside, as many dark thoughts against the Senator began to surface...
Zara woke up with a start. She panted heavily and swiped the tears away from her eyes. He body was drenched in sweat. She sat up and contemplated her strange dream. Why in the world was she dreaming about things like this. Jedi were not supposed to be jealous and have wishes of harming another. But she wanted to hurt her. She wanted to hurt Senator Amidala for taking Anakin away. She knew it was wrong, but she hated the woman for it...
Inside his office, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's eyes glowed sithly yellow, as he smiled evilly. His plans were working...
Padme, Anakin, and Sabe arrived home, flanked by Dorme, Typho and his security. Padme was exhausted, more than she usually was after a long day of Senate sessions. Obi-Wan was with them also, as he had come to see Anakin after his meeting with master Windu and master Yoda.
"Angel, are you okay?" Anakin asked, his voice lacing with concern.
"I'm fine Ani, my back is just killing me. And I think the twins are giving me bruises on the inside, they've been so active today," she replied, with a playful groan. Anakin chuckled and rubbed her shoulders.
"We're going to have our hands full when they get here. And I can't wait," he said. She smiled up at him.
"Me either. Sabe, I hope you'll forgive me, but I don't know if I feel up to going to the opera with you tonight. I know you had tickets and were looking forward to it, but..." Padme said. Sabe smiled at her best friend.
"Say no more Padme, you're seven months pregnant. I think you're allowed to not feel well. We can go another time," Sabe said.
"Master Obi-Wan loves the holo opera. Perhaps he could accompany you," Anakin interjected.
"How about it Obi-Wan?" Sabe asked.
"It has been a long time since I've been able to attend a showing. And I think I could use a little distraction after that dicey meeting I had with the masters earlier," Obi-Wan replied.
"Good, just give me a few moments to freshen up and we'll go," Sabe said. About a half hour later, Sabe and Obi-Wan left. Anakin dismissed Typho and the rest of the security, including Dorme, leaving them alone.
"Now milady, it's time that we did something for that back of yours," Anakin said.
"What did you have in mind, my Jedi protector?" she asked playfully.
"Well, you're going to get undressed and I'm going to massage all the kinks out," he replied. She giggled.
"Why Ani, I do believe you've found a new way to get me out of my clothes," she replie slyly. He gave her a crooked smile.
"Well, I really am going to give you a massage. It's just an added bonus that you won't be wearing anything when I do it," he replied, raising one eyebrow slyly. She giggled, as he led her into the bedroom. She went into the fresher and shed her senatorial gown. When she came back out, she was dressed just in a simple robe. Her husband had rid himself of his tunic and was now dressed in just a simple pair of black sleep pants. She walked over to him and feathered her fingers along his smooth, broad chest.
"So, how exactly is this going to work? Laying on my stomach isn't exactly the most comfortable thing nowadays," she replied.
"You're going to put a pillow under your belly and I'm going to use the Force to ease the rest of the tension," Anakin replied.
"Using the Force for this? I don't think master Obi-Wan would approve," she teased playfully. He chuckled, imagining the many lectures Obi-Wan had given him for using the Force for things other than toward his duty.
"Yeah, well, what master Obi-Wan doesn't know, won't hurt him," Anakin replied, as Padme giggled. Gingerly, she laid down on the bed, her belly resting on a pillow. She closed her eyes and relaxed. Anakin straddled her legs and reached around her, undoing the belt of her robe and pushing it down, fully exposing her back to him. He stared at her form for a long moment, truly taking in the beauty of every curve of her exquisite body. He leaned down and pressed soft, sensual kisses along the back of her neck and shoulder blades, before he moved his hands to the small of her back. He began to kneed at the tension and strain that was clearly evident under his fingertips.
"Oooh...Ani. Oh, that feels so amazing," she moaned softly, as his calloused hands moved up and down her back. He continued his sensual ministrations, until all the tension in her back disappeared. She rolled over underneath him, now facing him.
"Mmm...thank you so much Ani. I feel so much better now," she said.
"Anything for you, angel," he replied, as he leaned down and tenderly brushed his lips over hers. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. She tugged at the drawstrings on his pants, as he kissed her deeply. Reaching into the Force, he turned out the lights...
Obi-Wan landed the speeder on Padme's veranda and helped Sabe out.
"Thank you for accompanying me Obi-Wan. I had a wonderful time," Sabe said.
"I did too milady. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed myself that much," Obi-Wan replied. Sabe stepped closer to Obi-Wan and kissed him lightly on the lips, catching the unsuspecting Jedi completely off guard. However, Obi-Wan was enjoying it too much to pull away. Sabe pulled back first and smiled at him.
"Sabe...I," Obi-Wan began, but she stopped him.
"I know Obi-Wan. I know you're strongly devoted to the code and I respect that. Just let me have this one kiss," she replied. Obi-Wan nodded mutely, as she went inside. Obi-Wan stood there for a few moments, not really sure what to do with himself.
"Blast!" he mumbled to himself. Everything he knew and trusted had somehow come into question lately. He wasn't like Anakin; he was devoted to the code, even though he had been questioning parts of it lately.
"Times are changing Obi-Wan," a ghostly voice said. Obi-Wan turned abruptly.
"M..Master!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Qui-Gon's spirit chuckled at his former apprentice.
"Yes Obi-Wan, I'm really here," Qui-Gon answered.
"It's wonderful to see you master. I suppose you witnessed what just happened," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes I did Obi-Wan. And you know how I feel on these matters. The order is heading for a terrible fall if they don't accept change. The dark side has lost their grasp on Anakin, but it is still growing. The dark Lord will find someone to replace him. The Sith are very good at adapting to change in order to ensure their survival. Therefore, the Jedi must also. I'm counting on you and master Yoda to be my voice to the council," Qui-Gon said.
"But master, I'm not like Anakin. The code has been grounded into me, in all of us, since we were younglings," Obi-Wan said. Qui-Gon chuckled.
"No, you're not like Anakin. Force knows, the galaxy can only handle one Anakin. You have guided him through his training and he has become a fine young man. But on matters of the heart, Anakin will guide the order into a new era. He has released the shackles of the dark side and will truly fulfill his destiny as the Chosen One. But he needs you there with him the whole way, in order to be successful. For he will face many obsticles and adversaries along the path," Qui-Gon advised. Obi-Wan nodded, as Qui-Gon's spirit faded into the Force. Obi-Wan sighed and hopped back into his speeder, taking off for the temple.
Chancellor Palpatine smiled evilly, as he heard the small knock at his office door. She was right on time.
"Come in," he answered politely. Zara peeked in.
"I'm sorry to bother you at such a late hour chancellor, but I sensed that you were still here," Zara said.
"Don't be sorry child, come in, come in," the meek chancellor said.
"What's troubling you? Remember, I told you that you could talk to me about anything in the strictest of confidence. Nothing we say will leave this room," Palpatine said. Zara felt like she could really trust the old man. He gave her praises and advice. He did not chide her and scold her like the masters at the temple did.
"I had a nightmare of sorts that bothered me," she said, as she sat down.
"Tell me about it Zara. I want you to think that you talk to me. In the short time that you've been guarding me, I've come to see you as the daughter I never had," Palpatine said.
"Thank you sir, I'm honored you feel that way. I've been having dreams...about someone," she said.
"Let me guess, you've been dreaming of Anakin," Palpatine replied. Zara shot him a shocked expression.
"How...how did you know?" she asked.
"Oh come now dear, I'm an old man. I see the looks you toss his way. I've been around long enough to know what they mean," he said, with a friendly smile.
"I'm sorry sir, I know it's wrong for a Jedi to have these feelings," she hung her head in shame.
"Not at all child. It is very normal for a human to experience such emotions. Anakin himself broke the code for love," Palpatine replied.
"Yes, he loves the Senator," she said sadly.
"Yes that may be. But I've learned one thing in my life and that is to never give up on one's dreams. You never know what the future may hold," Palpatine advised.
"Yes, I can't help but be suspicious of her. Some of the masters say she saved him from the dark side," Zara said. That piece of information peeked Palpatine's interest immensely.
"How in the world did she do that?" he wondered innocently.
"She told the council that she found some encrypted information that someone in the Senate paid a bounty hunter to kidnap Anakin's mother and have her killed by Tuskan raiders," Zara replied, not really caring how much trouble she knew she'd be in if the council found out that she told anyone about anything they had discussed.
"That's absolutely horrible," Palpatine said, mock terror lacing his voice.
"Yes, they think the Sith are behind it and they were trying to turn Anakin to the dark side. I'm grateful to her for saving him if she really did, but some of the other padawans and I can't help but have ill feelings toward her. We feel like she stole Anakin from the order. He was our most promising and courageous Jedi Knight and now he has just left it all for her," Zara said, becoming frustrated.
"Well child, it is best for you to try and put it out of your mind for tonight and get some rest," Palpatine suggested.
"You're right chancellor. I feel much better after talking to someone about this. Thank you for not judging me," she replied.
"Of course my dear, you can always come to me. Good night," Palpatine said, as he saw her out. After she left, his eyes turned yellow as he bathed in the energy of her dark emotions. She was closer to becoming his with each passing day...
As for Amidala, he would deal with her and Skywalker in due time. They would both pay for nearly destroying thirteen years of his hard work. They would not keep him from realizing his dreams of his Empire...
Anakin's dream
It was pitch black and he couldn't see a thing. But he could sense something...something very wrong. Suddenly, a red saber ignited across from him, outlining a figure in a black cloak. And he could hear thousands of screams of innocents ringing in his ears...
He woke up with a start, his bare chest heaving as he gulped in oxygen to his starved lungs. What did the dream mean? He hadn't seen a face, but the screams of thousands of innocent people were real enough. It definitely had to do with the Sith and he would need to speak to Obi-Wan about it in the morning. Something just didn't feel right...he couldn't decide what it was, but he felt as if the dark side was growing stronger. He looked down at his side, where Padme lay spooned against him, sleeping peacefully. Neither had been asleep long, their skin still damp with sweat from their earlier expression of love. He brushed the curls away from her face and kissed her cheek. Their lovemaking was fresh in his mind, her ardent, impassioned cries echoed in his ears. Her ragged breathes on his shoulder and her nails raking across his back, as he made love to her. He laid back down and scooted closer to her, taking her in his arms. Darkness was all around them, but he silently promised her that he would never let any harm come to her. Not as long as he still had breath in his body...