Author's Note: Don't shoot me, I'm back! I have been working on this chapter for over a week and I think I FINALLY have it how I want it. Goodness gracious, what a time to get writer's block. In the meantime, thank you for all the reviews – you guys really keep me going!
Erik's leadinglady – Both reviews were priceless! You always have me cracking up! I'm glad you enjoyed the past couple chapters – hope I can keep it up! It's weird to think of this trilogy coming to an end. Perhaps the writer's block is my subconscious mind delaying the inevitable. Whoa – deep, huh? ;-) Stanfield Skywalker – Hello there and welcome! I'm so glad you popped in and took the time to leave such nice comments. Hope you'll stay through the end! Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi – I hate to leave you with cliffhangers for a week at a time, but real life has just been kicking my butt. Thanks for the encouragement and enthusiasm! RavenRulzRF – You'll see that Windu has a plan – it's a good thing too! They need it! Hellish Red Devil – I'm glad you get that sense from Jarrick, because that is how I'm trying to portray him. I've never written an "OC" before, so your fascination with him has been extremely rewardingand helpful. Elmthesmartypants – Um… You thought the last cliffie was evil? Oh dear. Honestly, it's just a natural place to end the chapter. (Looks innocent) Meandmysharpie – I'm totally addicted to reading too – I can't sleep unless I've had a chance to read my latest magazine or book, etc. I'm just glad you've chosen this story as something to add to your repertoire! ;-) Padme's Sister – I wanted you to wonder if he was bad or good, so I'm glad I succeeded – and happier that you liked the result! Thank you! Hopeless4Life – Aw, breathtaking is a wonderful description – thank you!
ALL – I will be back as soon as I can with more. Now, hold onto your hats!
LOWER LEVEL STORAGE ROOM
Why don't you just hand him your head on a platter, Tachi? she silently berated herself. Her saber blazed to life and she let the Force flow through her, expertly deflecting Palpatine's second slash at her neck. Oh yes, that's much better.
She had been so startled by the fact that the Chancellor was attacking her with a Sith light saber, she had almost been run through by his first try. A bit embarrassing, she had to admit, but not a mistake she was going to repeat.
So why did she still feel so out of it? One half of her mind was screaming "Danger!" while the rest was still certain this was nothing more than a joke that had gotten out of hand.
Perhaps I'm simply dreaming?
The blast of heat from the blood-red saber as it streaked past her cheek convinced her that it was real.
Deadly real.
She had never faced anything like Palpatine's swordsmanship - not even during her most intense training sessions with the Temple's top Jedi. Moving incredibly quickly, he jumped and spun with practiced ease, changing his trajectory on a whim. The path of his weapon reminded her of a predatory animal, waiting for the right moment to strike. And when it did, it was fiercely calculating and precise.
She could only hold her ground for so long. She hoped it would be long enough.
"Go, Padme!" she screamed, inhaling the scent of fiery plasma as it filled the air. Her senses sharpened as she geared up for the imminent battle. "Get out of here!"
00000
Padme ignored Siri's command, her shock transforming into fear for her friend's safety. The Jedi was already struggling, fighting a battle she was destined to lose. Palpatine was merely toying with her, relishing the fact that he held her fate in the palm of his hand... and that they both knew it.
Regardless, Siri refused to leave her detrimental position in the middle of the room. She continued to move purposefully; her only concern to stay between the Sith lord and his prey. The strategy was an example of honor at its finest... yet Padme wanted to retch at the sight of it.
"Senator, you must go!" Siri instructed tightly. She parried another series of blows, her costume floating around her in a bleak reminder of their earlier triumph.
Padme shook her head, the movement causing her brown curls to fall free of their sparkly pins. No, I can't leave - if I do, he'll kill her so he can come after me.
I've got to do something.
An idea sprang forth, hope blooming in her heart as it began to take shape. My connection to Anakin! If we can meld as strongly as we did all those months ago, I would be a formidable ally in Siri's fight. After all, Ani is one of the finest swordsmen in all the Galaxy.
Her hand instinctively flew to her midsection, reminding her of the second life she was also responsible for. No, he won't harm you, little one. Her heart hardened as she realized the reason for her rationale. He has too many plans for you – plans that I cannot allow to transpire.
Letting out a deep breath, she called for her husband...
...and immediately collided with a wall of fury that sent her to her knees.
Did Jarrick design another weapon? she wondered dazedly. She pressed a hand to her chest, but there was no accompanying feeling of suffocation. Such a rejection could mean only one thing.
Jarrick is succeeding in his quest to tear us apart. Worst of all, he was doing it without utilizing any special powers...
Yet.
Padme stood and gripped the hilt of the saber tightly, studying the way Siri's fighting style differed from Anakin's. It was just as athletic, but more focused and honed. She didn't use any shocking maneuvers, strictly relying on the skills that worked most efficiently; namely, staying in a defensive posture while attacking here and there - enough to grant her a chance to escape.
"Time is running out," Padme whispered. There was no way Siri could continue at that brutal pace for much longer and as soon as the Jedi faltered, that would be the end.
Sensing her sadness, Siri trained her gaze on her briefly. Her blue eyes were filled with resignation, but above it all - admiration and respect, combined with a promise to protect her from Palpatine for as long as she could. Consider it your first baby gift, Senator.
"Siri, no-" Padme choked, hearing Siri's words echo through her head.
May the Force be with you.
Their bond flamed to life with a roar and Padme activated the light saber, rushing into the fray. Whether or not she would be granted some of Siri's skill remained to be seen, but she refused to stay on the sidelines.
That wasn't what a friend did.
CENTER ICE - SAME TIME
"What?" Anakin cried. "Stand-in grandfather? Master, what's going on?"
"It's Padme, Anakin," Obi-wan sighed. He ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "It appears she is... Well, she's expecting."
"Expecting what?" Anakin replied, dumbstruck.
Jarrick snorted. "Oh for the love of-! This is who the Council declared the saving grace of the Jedi Order?"
Obi-wan ignored him and placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder, hoping to keep him calm.
"You're serious?" the young Jedi whispered. "We're going to...? She's pregnant?"
"Yes, isn't that delightful?" Jarrick interrupted, clapping his hands together sarcastically.
Anakin stared at the ice, expressionless. "All this time she has known... Didn't she trust me?"
A hush had fallen over the crowd and Obi-wan was suddenly aware of the thousands of eyes that were boring into his back. "Of course she did. But she felt that you had enough on your plate and so we agreed-"
"Wait a second. 'We agreed?' You had a discussion about this?" Anakin fumed, accusation dripping from his words. He ducked away from Obi-wan's comforting touch. "She couldn't tell me, her own husband... But she told you? Does Master Tachi know too?"
Warning bells were going off in Obi-wan's head so he remained silent.
"Does Siri know?" Anakin shouted.
"I think the silence speaks for itself, don't you, Anakin?" Jarrick prodded slyly. "But I would be happy to answer your question if you'll allow it." Anakin glared at him stonily, so Jarrick took that as his cue to continue. "Master Tachi does know of this blessed news. In fact, I heard her discussing it with the Senator before this evening's event. I'm afraid you were the only one left out in the cold."
Embers of fury were sparking violently in Anakin's belly and he struggled to suppress them.
Jarrick smirked, feeding off the Jedi's turmoil. "It's hard to find out that someone thinks you're unworthy, isn't it?" He tilted his head knowingly, tucking his hands into the folds of his cloak.
"I wouldn't know," Anakin insisted.
But Jarrick was well aware that he did know, all too well. After all, Skywalker had been a slave, an unwanted Padawan, a thorn in the side of the Council... All the while bearing a title he now wasn't sure he had even earned...
Yes, the time is just about right…
"I don't doubt Senator Amidala thinks you're capable enough for some things," he commented airily. "But apparently she doesn't think much of your ability to be a father to her child."
"Don't listen to him, Anakin," Obi-wan murmured. "Lies. All of it."
Anakin's emotions were like a turbolift - shooting for the sky one moment and bottoming out a split second later. Joy, betrayal, love and fury were pounding him from every direction, demanding their turn in his heart. He struggled to regain control, knowing he was teetering on a dangerous edge.
But part of him didn't care.
"Artoo!" he commanded. The obedient droid responded instantly, ejecting a pair of light sabers into the air as Anakin sprang forward, somersaulting across the ice.
He landed smoothly behind Jarrick, weapons clenched in his hands, directed straight at the enemy. His eyes darkening, he smirked. "Now who's unworthy?"
The crowd remained silent, collectively holding their breaths.
"Oh dear, I really was hoping it wouldn't come to this," Jarrick insisted, pressing his lips in a thin line. "Well, let's at least make it a fair fight and cut down the numbers, shall we?" He produced a tiny crystal and closed his eyes, calling the dark side to him.
RINKSIDE, DROID CHARGING CHAMBER - SAME TIME
Mace cursed under his breath as he once again attempted to activate TX-306. He didn't know if the malfunctioning droid could do anything to help the situation, but hoped that a few of the onboard features would be triggered by her owner's proximity.
Come on! His lip curled in derision. Force, I hate technology!
In a fit of temper, he pounded the droid's midsection with his fist and was rewarded as the main sensors blinked to life one-by-one. Seconds later, a message flashed across the main screen.
"Incoming com-link signal recognized. Originator of Transmission: Master Sidious. Appropriate response: Release recording device."
Slowly, a side panel moved aside and a tiny camera droid popped free, streaking for the stairwell as it locked onto the com-link's homing signal. Mace's stomach dropped as he realized what it meant.
"Palpatine."
He picked up his own com-link and began speaking into it softly. The task complete, he remained in a crouched position and surveyed the scene on the ice.
The first thing he sensed was the draining presence of the crystal Jarrick was holding.
STORAGE ROOM
Siri's blood froze as she watched the Senator rush forward, saber prepared to strike. The satisfaction on the Sith Lord's face as he faced the new threat was enough to make her vision swim - and enough to make Palpatine momentarily forget his grand plans for the child she carried.
"No!" Siri shrieked. She sent him off balance with a Force-shove.
Palpatine still somehow managed to thrust Padme's blade aside with a flick of his wrist. The Senator was charging so fast, she was barely able to bring her weapon back up in time to deflect his counterattack.
Siri drew on the vibrant bond of friendship that spiraled between them, using it to wrap them in a web of protectiveness. Padme's movements weren't as deadly as they had been that renowned day in the energy building, but it was enough to keep Palpatine engaged... and both of them alive for a little while longer.
They began to fight side-by-side, searching desperately for a weakness in their attacker. Though their united front remained strong, Siri realized it wouldn't be able to withstand the onslaught forever; they needed something more powerful.
They needed their partners, sparkles and all.
Come on, Kenobi...
The silence that met her request confirmed what she had already suspected: the larger connection that had tied the four of them together had grown cold and distant. In the back of her mind, she realized that meant things were going from bad to worse on the ice. She only hoped that Obi-wan was safe... and that she might see him one last time.
"It's not too late to stand down, Sidious," she gasped with false bravado, sweat beading on her brow. "If you surrender, the Jedi will apprehend you peacefully and allow the Senate to decide your fate."
"Why would I want to quit when I'm so close to getting what I want?" he hissed, his blade missing her shoulder by inches. "All I have to do is get rid of you and incapacitate the dear Senator here. Skywalker will do anything to keep her alive and I'll oblige him, playing the part of the sympathetic mentor - at least until the baby is born."
"It'll never work, Chancellor. The Jedi will sense your secret," she insisted.
"I would say that's quite unlikely. After all, I've managed to keep my 'talents' hidden all this time – what's a few more months?" He gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. "The entire Galaxy saw me escort a traitorous Jedi down here along with a misguided Senator. They will just be incredibly relieved that I managed to fight you off and keep Amidala alive – her body at least. I'm afraid her mind will be long gone."
If possible, Padme looked even angrier, remembering all too well the horror of having her mind invaded and shattered. She lashed out furiously, her blade meeting the Sith's in a shower of sparks.
Amongst the familiar sounds of battle, Siri caught a low hum, recognizing it immediately as belonging to a miniature camera droid - similar to the type that had been following their moves for weeks. She felt a twinge of relief, knowing that no matter the outcome, Palpatine's treachery would soon be playing out across the Galaxy for all to see.
But then the unthinkable happened.
Padme tripped on the train of her costume and the Sith blade found its mark.