Well, here it is; as promised, Ch 2. I hope you enjoy it!

Oh, special thanks go to:

Jedi Master Arie Skywalker,

privateroberts11,

Jessica the Fair,

Gizzy1213,

purpletangerine,

and Cowgirl4Christ


Even in the transport, Obi-Wan could sense Anakin's tension and anxiety rise every second they got closer to Padme's apartment. Obi-Wan had had his doubts about Anakin's feelings toward Padme. He had told Obi-Wan before that Padme wasn't anything special to him. And Obi-Wan had believed him. But that was seven years ago; and a lot happens in seven years. Soon, too soon, Anakin thought, they were in the elevator, going up to Padme's room. Anakin braced himself as Obi-Wan knocked on the door.

Padme stood looking out of the window at the city. She kept thinking over what she had said to Obi-Wan earlier that morning.

(Flashback)

(0945)

Padme opened a channel into the Jedi Temple. A female Twi-lek answered.

"Good morning, Senator Amidala," she said, recognizing Padme's face. "What can I do for you?"

"Good morning. I was wondering if Obi-Wan is there? If he is, can I talk to him?"

"Yes, he just arrived; hold on a moment, please."

Padme waited anxiously for a few moments, then Obi-Wan's face replaced that of the Twi-lek's.

Padme smiled in relief. "Hello, Obi-Wan."

"Padme." He said, sounding shocked for a moment. "Uh, I mean, Senator Amidala. It's good to see you. What can I do for you?"

"First you can tell me why you sound so shocked."

"Well, there was a rumor going around the Temple that you had been killed during the attack on the Chancellor."

"No, I'm not dead, as you can see." She said, smiling. She paused for a moment before continuing. "Obi-Wan, I need your help."

"What is it?"

"I, uh, I want to talk with you about General Grievous. I just don't feel safe with him around."

"I agree."

"I was wondering how the senate could help in the search. Could you come over later today and discuss it?"

"Sure. Oh, and do you want Anakin to come over, too? I'm sure he'd love it."

Padme held her breath. She and only she understood the irony of Obi-Wan's statement. Anakin really would love the fact that she was going to tell Obi-Wan about she and him. But she needed him here with her. "Sure, sure, Anakin can come, too."

"Okay, I'll find him and we'll be over as soon as we can."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan. Senator Amidala out."

(End transmission)

Padme sighed aloud. 'Am I really doing the right thing?' she thought. A knock came from the door, making Padme gasp and shattering her inner peace that she had managed to grasp for a few moments.

She looked over at the door and saw Threepio shuffling towards it. "No, Threepio," she called out, "I'll get it."

He stiffened as he stared at her, but then shuffled away. Padme walked towards the door. Every step she took matched the beating of her heart. She took a deep breath, and then opened the door.

Padme opened the door and welcomed in Anakin and Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan thanked her and walked in. Padme, as soon as Obi-Wan passed her, looked straight into Anakin's eyes.

He looked at her and whispered, "No, Padme. Don't do this."

She looked sadly at him. "I have to, Anakin." She whispered back. She turned and walked into her apartment. She invited them to sit down but only Obi-Wan did; Anakin continued to stand. Obi-Wan played with his beard for a moment as Padme told C-3PO to go out to the landing platform and talk with Artoo. She was sitting down when Obi-Wan spoke.

"You don't want to talk about General Grievous? Do you?" he stated.

Padme looked startled for a moment, then a small laugh escaped her lips. "The famed Jedi wisdom. Well, Obi-Wan, you've gotten this much; what do I really want to tell you?"

His face became sincere. "That would require me reading your mind. I'd only do that if it was absolutely necessary."

She looked down for a moment as her face became solemn. She looked up as she spoke. "I'm afraid it is necessary, Obi-Wan." They kept eye contact for a moment and then Obi-Wan sighed, closed his eyes, and stretched his mind to search Padme's. Padme closed her eyes and felt Obi-Wan's presence enter hers. She repeated one phrase over and over in her mind. I'm pregnant.

She knew the instant that Obi-Wan heard it because she felt his presence suddenly leave her mind. Their eyes snapped open at the same time.

"Oh my God, Padme!" he exclaimed. "Are you alright?" Anakin winced, there was no turning back now.

Padme shut her eyes hard against the tears threatening to overflow. She took in a shaky breath and opened her eyes.

Obi-Wan asked her another question. "Do you know who the father is?"

Padme didn't say a word. She just looked at Anakin. She didn't say a word, only looked at Anakin.

Obi-Wan followed her gaze and stood, looking Anakin straight in the eyes and asked, "Anakin, is this true?"

Anakin went over to Padme, not looking at Obi-Wan, and sat down next to her, gazing into her brown eyes. Obi-Wan was left still standing, bewildered. Anakin belatedly answered, "It's not all true."

Obi-Wan looked relieved whereas Padme looked distraught and confused. Obi-Wan started to sit down when Anakin continued. "I'm not only the father; I'm her husband."

Obi-Wan's face clearly registered shock and surprise. He shot back up. "WHAT? Why am I only NOW finding out about this?"

When Anakin didn't answer, Obi-Wan's face became red with anger. "Anakin, I demand an answer now!" he said in a very harsh voice.

Anakin stared off another moment; when he turned to Obi-Wan, what he saw on Anakin's face, shocked Obi-Wan so much that he sat back down. Anakin was crying.

His voice broke as he spoke. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd react like this. Obi-Wan, you're my best friend. You've been a Master to me, a brother; even the father that I've never had. I just couldn't hurt you like that. But I loved Padme too much to let her go."

The tension was apparent in the room. Obi-Wan was calming his anger while still trying to understand what Anakin meant by his statement. A few stray tears ran down Anakin's face and Padme was rubbing her hand along Anakin's back and she had her other hand in his.

Finally, Obi-Wan spoke. "Is that why you were so angry in the temple? Because Padme was pregnant with your child?"

Anakin wiped away the last lingering tears. "Yes, well," he thought for a moment, "Not really." He sighed. "I had a vision last night."

Obi-Wan perked up at this. "A vision?" he repeated. "Of what?"

Anakin painfully retold his vision. Padme had not heard his vision like this; she started crying.

"The reason I was so mad was because I had talked to Yoda about it. I didn't say it was about Padme because that would have aroused suspicion. Yoda thought that I was talking about you, Obi-Wan.

"Yoda told me to let go of everything I feared to lose." He turned to Padme who had since stopped crying. "And that includes you, Padme. I just, I can't let you go."

Tears were now welling in his eyes. Padme let out a small cry and buried her head into his neck, throwing her arms around him. He pressed his cheek into Padme's hair, wrapping his arms around her.

They stayed like that until Obi-Wan interrupted (leave it to Obi-Wan to interrupt a romantic scene like that!). "How much of it do you think is true?"

"What?" Anakin asked, letting go of Padme and turning to Obi-Wan.

"How much of the vision do you think is real? Do yo really think it's going to happen like that?"

Anakin nodded adamantly. "Yes. I think it will happen. That's why I need to save her."

"Save me?" Padme asked.

Obi-Wan nodded understandingly and stood. "If you feel that strongly, then we should take Padme to the temple and have the healers look at her."

Anakin's face took on a shocked look. "Take her to the temple? But that would mean-"

"Telling the Council, yes." Obi-Wan finished. "But right now it's Padme's best chance."

Anakin looked at Padme. He could sense her turmoil. She wanted him to tell the council, but at the same time, she wanted him to keep his mouth shut about the matter. After all they had done to keep their marriage a secret, only to have done it in vain. But the bigger part of her said that it was right to tell the council. And besides, Obi-Wan knew and they both knew how bad he was at keeping secrets. Padme nodded; they would go to the temple and tell the council.

"Yes," Anakin said, "it is her best chance."

Well? How was it? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE R&R!