Author's Note: I have missed you guys! I'm so sorry I've been MIA – real life has been crazy and my sweet little rabbit has been having a rough time. We thought we were going to lose him, but he seems to be hanging in there. Please keep your fingers crossed. Beautiful Isle Jedi Chick – Aw, thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story –it's so nice to hear from my wonderful readers! Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi – Hee! Yes, the power of the ice skates is staggering! Hellish Red Devil – Let's just say that the last line of this chapter is for you, my dear! ;-) Elmthesmartypants – I'm so glad you liked it! RavenRulzRF – Yay! Thanks for the kind comment! Padme's Sister – Hee! Your reviews are always so cute! Unfortunately, I can't think of any specific Obi/Siri fan fics – you might do a search and see what you find! I'm glad you like the way I've written her! Meandmysharpie – It seems that these days my brain is permanently dulled! Yikes! Stanfield Skywalker – Your review means so much – it took me forever to get the paragraph about Anakin turning to the Light just the way I wanted it. So, a huge thank you! Eriks leadinglady – Aw, you know how much I love your long reviews – but don't worry – short ones are great too! I know how it is to run out of time! Miss-Jedi – Thank you so much. You guys make all the hard work worthwhile!

ALL – Thanks for your patience. I'll be back as soon as I can with more, I promise! Hope you enjoy this chapter in the meantime!

In the back of his mind, Anakin realized he should be tiring from the brutal exertion of holding off Palpatine's saber, but in reality - the exact opposite was happening. An aura of strength pulsed through him, feeding off the call of the Light. The experience was powerful, it was humbling... but above all, he knew it was right.

Nevertheless, that didn't mean he wanted his wife in the middle of it all.

"Go to Siri," he murmured, locking eyes with Sidious. "I'll handle this now. I'm sorry I was a bit… late."

Padme nodded and limped across the floor as fast as her injuries would allow. Normally the sight of her pain invoked a rage he could not harness – and truth be told, had no wish to harness. He would use it as an excuse to cast aside the Jedi mandates, freeing his conscience from what he viewed as unnecessary rigidity.

But this time the Light soothed him, whispering assurances that Padme would be all right… Her well being is what matters most, not revenge. Shouldn't love hold more power for you than hatred? Shouldn't that be what motivates you and guides your actions?

He nodded to himself, struck by the truth behind the statements. Clear of heart and mind, he turned to the man he had once considered both friend and mentor.

"This is going to end today, but that doesn't have to mean your death. I can take you into custody, leaving your fate to the Senate." Emphasizing his willingness to do just that, Anakin stepped back and brought his saber into a defensive position.

Sidious snorted at the action. "If you think I will ever surrender, you are far more stupid than I realized. Do you really want to throw away this opportunity for unlimited power? Remember what it was like to be a slave, my young friend. Do you want to go back to that? To being led around by the nose by the Jedi?"

"I would never turn my back on the Republic, but I can at least understand such a misconception," Anakin replied passionately. "However, if you thought I would join you after you attempted to harm my friends, my wife and my child, then perhaps you are far more strategically inept than I realized."

"Excellent point, my former Padawan," Obi-wan commented, joining the stand-off. He stood a few yards away, physically blocking the single route Palpatine might have had for escape.

Anakin nodded to him gratefully. How is Siri?

She is alive, Obi-wan replied shortly.

He could tell by the tone of his voice that Siri had obviously had a few choice words over him taking the time to check on her when they had a Sith Lord on the loose. Typical Siri, he thought.

Despite the horrible situation they were facing, he smiled slightly. He had no doubt that the female Jedi would be incredibly aggravated by the fact that they were having the nerve to 'discuss' her during such an intense moment… or during any moment for that matter.

She made Obi-wan so happy. They deserved to have a chance at a life together; the one they had planned so ardently before duty interfered.

He would see that they got that chance.

Palpatine stopped his pacing and ignited his light saber. The battle would rage ferociously, he had foreseen it - and soon his life would be over. But that didn't mean he would be entering the other Realm alone. Yes, if he planned it just right, his death would have ramifications for generations to come. It was simply time to set the stage.

Some things just came at a high price.

Without warning, he attacked, startling Skywalker and Kenobi with the sheer power of the Dark side. He drove them back steadily, his anger mounting at the realization that they were only moving to deflect his blade, making no attempts for a counterattack.

It was pathetic, really, the way they so zealously clung to their ideals even in the thick of battle – but they were about to regret such unfounded faith.

Springing into the air, he managed to leap over the two Jedi, landing only an arm's length away from where the Senator was carefully tending to her semi-conscious friend.

"Now I believe you have a choice to make, Anakin," he taunted. "Who will die? Will it be your lovely wife or the Jedi who protected her when you couldn't be bothered?" He smirked as they started towards him, letting a few sparks of the deadly electricity sizzle from his fingertips. "I suggest you stop there. I may not be able to kill both of them before you get to me, but I can get at least one."

"This is your last chance," Anakin warned.

"No, it is their's," he growled. Ignoring his throbbing shoulder, he shook off the dizziness that came from extreme blood loss. "Given our history, Anakin, I will allow you this final favor. I shall permit you to choose the method by which one of these delightful women will die. Would you prefer the clean slice of a light saber? Or, perhaps my weapon of choice… Force lightning. Each technique has its benefits, you know. For instance, death by a light saber is quick, but it will not leave the body in good shape for the funeral." He smiled maliciously. "On the other hand, the dead would be much more presentable after a round of Force lightning, but it does tend to be a rather painful experience."

"Enough," Anakin stated dangerously.

Sidious braced himself for the impending attack, knowing the right seeds had been planted to draw Skywalker into a darkness he could never escape, never deny.

But the attack never came.

For the first time in his life, Palpatine felt the first stirrings of panic. The heart of his plan had hinged on drawing Anakin into a reckless state or rage. To do so would make the Jedi's resulting failure all the more humiliating – and permanent.

Yet even when faced with the grim likelihood that one of the people he loved most would die, the Jedi's eyes shone with control. He brandished the cursed Light as if it were a beacon, a weapon in its own right.

His dark plan had fallen short.

However…

The Jedi were already facing extraordinary scrutiny from a suspicious Republic. What better way to fan the flames than to destroy the Chosen One, the most famous face of the illustrious Order? Yes, it would be even more satisfying than murdering either of the women.

Gripping his weapon, he drank in the anticipation of the upcoming kill. He knew at least one of the sapphire blades would find its mark in his gut… but not before his own crimson saber found Skywalker's heart.

He was just about to lunge when someone entered the room- someone who would turn the tide back in his direction completely.

The Dark side was truly with him.

"Hello, Jarrick."