Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here.

AN: Here is chapter 13! Thanks for all the great reviews so far!

A Matter of Trust

Chapter 13: Evil Strikes

Anakin and Padme came inside with the twins. They saw Sabe sitting by herself in the sitting room. There was a sad, dejected look on her face. Anakin and Padme exchanged glances. Anakin smiled and took the twins to the nursery. Padme sat down next to Sabe and gave her a gentle hug.

"How did you do it Padme?" Sabe asked.

"Do what?" Padme questioned.

"How did you deal with Anakin being out in that war. How did you deal with hardly ever seeing him and not knowing if he was okay?" Sabe cried. Padme hugged her again.

"Honestly, I don't know how I did it sometimes. Throwing myself into my work helped a bit, but I constantly worried. I know what you're going through Sabe, but you have to believe that he'll be okay and that he'll come back to you," Padme replied.

"I'm trying, it's just so hard," Sabe said.

"I know, believe me. There were so many nights that I cried myself to sleep. After dinner, why don't you let me make you some tea to help you relax. That always helped me get to sleep a little easier," Padme suggested.

"Thanks, I think I'll take you up on that later," Sabe smiled. Padme smiled back and hugged her again.

"I'm going to go freshen up before dinner," Sabe said, as she dried her eyes and headed for her room. Padme went into the nursery where her husband was watching the twins play in their play pin.

"Is she okay?" Anakin asked. Padme came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"She'll be okay. But she'll be better when Obi-Wan returns. She's so worried and she misses him so much. And I know exactly how she feels," Padme replied.

"He'll be fine, I know it. He has a lot more to come back to now," Anakin said.

"I hope you're right," Padme replied.

"When I was out there fighting, you were what kept me going. All I could think about was staying alive so I could come back to you. Thoughts of coming back to Sabe will keep him going as well," Anakin said. She smiled and kissed him softly.

Korriban. Also known as the Sith home world. It was their latest lead on the Separatist leaders.

'Fitting,' Barriss thought to herself. It seemed very fitting for the Sith to hide the fugitive on their home world. She had heard about Korriban as a padawan in the temple. The dark side hung so heavily over the entire planet that it could not sustain life of any kind. The planet was barren and dead. She had heard the masters say that the dark side was so strong there that even the most powerful masters could give in to its pull if they remained too long.

"Master, I'm sensing the dark side so strongly, even from up here in space," Barriss said.

"I am as well my former padawan. We shall contact the council before we disembark. We must be cautious and on our guard at all time," Luminara said. Barriss nodded, while her master opened up a com channel with the Jedi Council.

Inside an old, rundown Sith temple, the Separatist leaders discussed their plans to begin constructing what master Sidious had called the death star. It was his ultimate weapon. Darth Psion entered the cold room and looked around, eyeing each individual.

"Ah, Lady Psion, when will master Sidious be contacting us? We must begin construction at once!" Viceroy Gunray said. Reaching deeply into the dark side of the Force, Psion sealed all the exits, before igniting her blood red saber.

"I'm sorry viceroy, but my master has chosen to terminate his dealings with you," she said coldly, as she ran him through the chest with her saber.

"He won't be needing the rest of you either!" Psion said angrily. Screams of terror filled the chamber, as Darth Psion viciously slaughtered every one of them in cold blood. And she enjoyed every single scream of terror and pain filled expression. She let their fear wash over her, delving deeply into the dark side...

"Masters, Barriss and I are in orbit of Korriban. We are sensing very dark tremors in the Force, coming from the planet. We believe we have located one of the Sith," Luminara reported.

"Investigate you will, but take great caution you must," Yoda said.

"We are sending master Kenobi to rendevous with you, as he is less than a parsec away. Proceed and he will join you soon. May the Force be with you," Mace said, as the transmission ended.

Zara smirked, satisfied with her work. The image of Darth Sidious appeared and he silently surveyed the carnage around her. Her transformation into a body of evil had went better than even he expected. Sending her to Korriban had been a very good decision, as it allowed the dark side to consume her completely. He no longer sensed any trace of the confused padawan. Before him stood a valuable and dedicated apprentice, ready and willing to perform any dark task that he might ask.

"You have done well my apprentice," Sidious said.

"Thank you my master. The plans for the death star are safe and Nute Gunray and his entourage have been disposed of," Psion reported.

"Good, transmit the plans to governor Tarkin. I sense you will soon have more company," Sidious said.

"I'll transmit the plans at once. And yes, I sense my former master has arrived. What are your orders, my master?" Psion asked.

"Dispose of them. They are of no consequence. However, I have heard that master Kenobi is en route to Korriban. Capture him, for he shall be very useful to us both," Sidious said. Psion smirked evilly.

"Yes my master," she replied, and bowed as the transmission ended.

The sun had set completely and the Naboo sky became dotted with stars as the sky darkened to a midnight blue. Padme quietly shut the door to the nursery, while stuffing the baby monitor comlink in her pocket. She was met by her handsome, albeit grease covered husband. Lately, in addition to keeping up on his light saber skills, he had been taking jobs fixing things here and there for local people around the village. Word was spreading quickly about Anakin's uncanny ability to fix anything. Now, he was spending a lot of time in the lake house garage fixing whatever was brought to him. And he loved the satisfying work. The part he loved most though, was coming home for the night to be with his beautiful wife and children. Normally he was home for good by dinner time, but tonight he had gone back to the garage for a bit, while Padme and Sabe spent some time together with the twins. Padme kissed him softly, but stopped his grease covered hands from getting smudges all over her.

"Oh no you don't. If you get me dirty, I'll have to take a shower too," Padme said.

"And that would be a bad thing?" he asked with a crooked smile. She smiled back.

"Well no, but I thought I would wait for you...in bed," she replied, as she sauntered into the bedroom. Anakin followed her and made way for the fresher.

"I won't be long," he called, as he shut the door.

Anakin came out of the fresher with a towel wrapped around his waist and was faced by his stunningly beautiful wife. She had a very sad look on her face.

"What's wrong angel?" he asked.

"I don't know. I just have a really bad feeling that something terrible is going to happen," she replied. Anakin winced slightly. She usually was able to pick up on a lot of his feelings, even though she wasn't a Jedi. She was stronger in the Force than most, but not nearly enough to be a Jedi. She could always read him though and she could always tell when something was wrong.

"I've been feeling a lot of dark tremors in the Force today. But I haven't really been able to make any sense of what they mean," he said, as he placed his hands on her smooth shoulders.

"I'm frightened Ani. I'm afraid we're going to lose people that we care about or that I'm going to lose you. I couldn't bare to lose you Anakin," she said, desperately clinging to him.

"You won't lose me Padme, I promise," he said, as he captured her lips in a passionate kiss. He moved his lips slowly and sensually over hers, as if he were drinking in her very essence and memorizing her taste. He broke the kiss and noticed that the room was lit only with candle light, just how they liked it. She truly looked like an angel in the curve hugging, sleek white nightgown she was wearing. Her chocolate curls spilled around her shoulders. She never ceased to take his breath away. But he wasn't the only one doing the admiring. She let her eyes travel appreciatively over his lean muscles and broad, smooth chest. He was a delicious sight and he was hers. She sauntered toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly running her fingers through the damp hair around his neck.

"Sometimes I ask myself what I did to deserve you," he told her, as his eyes trailed all over her body.

"Well I'm yours and I always will be," she replied, as she began to place kisses all over his neck and chest. He pulled her body tightly against his and kissed her hungrily. She moaned, as he kissed her neck and shoulders. She reached for his towel and undid it, allowing it to fall to the floor.

"I need you Ani," she whispered to him, her eyes half lidded with desire. He brushed the straps down off her shoulders and let the nightgown fall to the floor in a puddle at her feet. Their lips met in a searing kiss, as they managed to find the way to bed. Padme arched herself toward him, as his lips traveled all over body, eliciting sighs and moans from her. He could feel her ragged breaths on his neck and shoulders, as he made love to her. She raked her fingers across his back, as he kissed her deeply, before moving his kisses to her neck and chest.

"Oh Anakin...Oh Ani," she moaned.

"I love...you so much...angel," he rasped, as he kissed her again, long and passionately. They lay facing each other, still pressed together, as they gasped for air and began to come down from the incredible high their lovemaking had created.

"I love you so much Padme," Anakin said, as he rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. Padme laid her head against his chest.

"I love you too Ani," she said sleepily, as she drifted off to sleep. It was long before he fell asleep as well...

Luminara and Barriss' search led them to an old, run down Sith temple.

"Master, there is something going on inside there. I feel so much fear and anger," Barriss said, as the negative emotions assaulted her senses.

"We must be very cautious," Luminara said, as she and Barriss went inside. They both gasped, as they viewed the carnage of the Separatist leaders that littered the floor. A cloaked figure stood in the center of the room with their back turned to the two Jedi. The person ignited a crimson saber, causing Barriss and Luminara to ignite their green blades. The figure slowly turned around and lowered their hood. Barriss gasped in surprise and nearly dropped her saber.

"Hello master Offee, master Unduli. I've been expecting you," Psion said. Barriss looked into her padawan's hate filled blazing yellow eyes in disbelief.

"Zara, what has happened to you?" Barriss asked, still in shock.

"My name is no longer Zara Caelan, she is dead. I am Darth Psion," the Sith woman replied.

"No Zara, come back to the light and we'll help you," Barriss pleaded.

"Help me! HELP ME!" she yelled.

"You betrayed my feelings to the council and humiliated me in front of Anakin!" Psion yelled, hate flashing in her eyes.

"Zara, I only did what I thought was best for you," Barriss pleaded.

"Well, my new master has done what's best for me. I have incredible power at my finger tips and soon, I shall have everything else I desire," Psion said.

"This obsession you have with Anakin is quite unhealthy padawan. Now, you will come quietly with us or we will have to Force you," Luminara said. Psion cackled evilly.

"You will try masters, you will try," Psion relied, as she launched at them. Their sabers clashed wildly. Psion spun in the air, delivering a hard sidekick to Barriss. Psion didn't stop with that. She Force pushed Barriss and sent her crashing into the wall. Her lightsaber clattered to the floor, automatically shutting off. Luminara stared at the former Jedi. She had heard how gifted Zara was in the arts of hand to hand combat and self defense. Her first master had been an expert and she had trained extensively with him, as well as master Swan also. Now those abilities had been enhanced by the dark side. Their sabers clashed again and Psion's attacks were relentless, as she fed off her dark power. With a powerful crossing kick, she disarmed Luminara. She kicked the Jedi in the abdomen and then used a drop spin kick to sweep her feet out from under her. Luminara landed hard on the cold floor. Out of the corner of her eye, Psion could see Barriss painfully struggling to get up.

"You fought well master Unduli, but you were no match for the powers of the dark side," Psion said, as she brought her saber to Luminara's neck. With a clean swipe, she decapitated master Unduli, sending her headless body to a heap on the cold floor.

"Nooooooooo!" Barriss screamed. The Jedi Knight leapt up and called her saber to her hand. She charged at the Sith and their sabers clashed furiously. They both met each other with a Force push and each fought for control. But Psion proved to be stronger. She forced Barriss to the ground and stood looming over her.

"You must pay for betraying me master Offee," Psion said, as her saber came crashing down. Barriss met it with her own, but Psion struck her with a powerful jolt of Force lightning. Barriss screamed in pain. Psion brought her saber up again and brought it crashing down again...

Obi-Wan Kenobi touched down on Korriban. As he exited the ship, an overwhelmingly dark tremor nearly brought him to his knees.

"Force no," Obi-Wan muttered, as he felt Luminara die. He ran, following his senses and was led to an old run down temple. As he started to enter, he felt Barriss' signature dip dangerously low. He hurried inside and prayed that he wasn't too late.

Darth Psion sensed Master Kenobi coming and quickly slipped into the shadows, cloaking her presence in the Force momentarily. Obi-Wan entered the control room and was sickened by the carnage. He rushed to Barriss and lifted her head.

"Master...Kenobi," she uttered.

"It's okay Barriss, save your strength," Obi-Wan said gently.

"Zara," Barriss said weakly.

"What about her?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Zara is...Sith," Barriss choked out. Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up.

"A Sith?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief. Barriss nodded.

"Anakin...family in great danger," Barriss managed to choke out in a distorted voice. Obi-Wan looked at the deep wound on her neck. Her larynx had suffered irreparable damage. Her neck was cut severely and she was having trouble getting air. Barriss was dying.

"The Jedi...great danger," Barriss said, as her eyes turned glassy.

"Your death will not be in vain Barriss, I promise you," Obi-Wan said quietly.

"Good...bye Obi...Wan. Tell Anakin...Padme...take care...of those...sweet...babies," Barriss choked out, as her eyes rolled back in her head and she died. Obi-Wan bowed his head in grief, but suddenly felt a dark presence enter the room.

"Zara, how could you do this?" Obi-Wan asked.

"My name is Darth Psion," she said, as she ignited her saber. Obi-Wan stood and ignited his blue blade.

"So now, you're going to try and kill me too," Obi-Wan said. She laughed evilly.

"No, you're too useful to kill yet master Kenobi. No, I need you to bait the one I'm really interested in," Psion replied.

"Anakin will never love you, so you may as well stop diluting yourself," Obi-Wan replied.

"He'll see things my way...eventually," Psion replied.

"Oh yes, killing his friends is really going to get him to come around to you. I'll warn you right now. If you try to harm his family, he'll kill you and I'll be there helping him," Obi-Wan replied.

"We shall see Master Kenobi, we shall see," Psion said, as she launched at him. Sabers clashed furiously, as the battle ensued.

Anakin woke up in a cold sweat, his chest heaving. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Ani, Ani, what's wrong?" Padme asked, as she shook his shoulders. Anakin looked at her, as the tears continued to come. Padme pulled his head to her chest, and stroked her fingers through his hair as he cried.

"They're dead..." Anakin said.

"Who Ani?" Padme asked.

"Master Unduli and Barriss. I saw them die in my sleep and I felt them too," Anakin replied.

"Do you know who killed them?" Padme asked. He shook his head.

"No, I couldn't see a face, but they were a Sith. And now..." Anakin stopped.

"What is it Ani?" Padme asked.

"Master Obi-Wan is facing the Sith. He was with Barriss as she died, I saw it," Anakin replied.

"Oh Anakin, I'm so sorry baby. But Obi-Wan is strong, we have to believe that he'll defeat the Sith," Padme said, as rocked him gently.

"I hope so angel," he replied.

"Do you think we should contact Master Yoda in the morning and tell them that you saw a Sith in your vision? Perhaps they know where the three of them were," Padme suggested. He gave her a gentle smile and kissed her softly.

"That's a good idea angel," he replied. Suddenly, they heard one of the twins fussing over the comlink.

"I'll get him, you go back to sleep," Anakin said, as he kissed her tenderly again.

"Are you sure?" Padme asked. He smiled and nodded.

"Positive, I'm not very tired anymore," Anakin replied. Padme nodded and watched him pull on his pants and leave for the nursery. She laid back down and found that she was also having trouble going back to sleep...