"No, no, and no! I won't do it," Padmé emphasized her words with a quick swept of her hand, and glared at the other people in her living room.

"Don't be so precipitous, Padmé," Bail Organa said, rubbing his well trimmed goatee.

"I am not! I have pondered this, but I can't accept it. My children need my attention and, more importantly, I am not the right person."

"More than two thirds of the Senate think you are," Qui-Gon commented quietly. "And even those who have not named you as their first choice, have included you in their short list."

"Perfect to be a Chancellor, you are," Master Yoda added his voice to the other's, tapping the floor with his gimer stick.

Padmé stood up and started pacing, trying to sort out her feelings. What they were asking was too much for her. She had just lost her husband, had two newborns to raise alone, and she was mentally and emotionally exhausted. She did not wish to become Supreme Chancellor; in fact she was even considering resigning from her position as Senator of Naboo and leaving Coruscant for good.

"Think about it, Padmé!" Bail tried again, "The Republic, the Senate need cohesion. We need a Chancellor as well supported as possible and backed by the Jedi-- you are the only one with these requirements."

Padmé stopped pacing and turned to stare at the others, her eyes full of torment. "How can I accept such an office when it was all my fault that Palpatine managed to land it thirteen years ago? It was my vote against Finis Valorum's leadership that opened the way to his raise to power!"

"You might have taken Valorum down," Qui-Gon said reasonably, "but it was the Senate – the Senate he had corrupted or otherwise influenced – that elected Palpatine. Had you not voted against Valorum, he would have found another way to grab the power. After all, the new elections would have been held two years later."

"Yes, Master Jinn is right, Padmé," Bail commented. "It was not your responsibility. It is not important, for it has been proved that Palpatine, acting as Darth Sidious, was behind the Trade Federation blockade too. Much more important is the way you opposed the Military Creation Act, how you questioned the increasing power Palpatine was gathering during the war and how you kept on pressing for a diplomatic solution after Dooku was killed. This is what really matters now."

"You were with me in the Loyalist Party, Bail. Why don't you take the position of Chancellor? I am sure you would to a terrific job."

Bail smiled, "Thanks for your trust, but the Senate doesn't want me—they want you. They think you are strong, for you have demonstrated to be ready to fight for your beliefs."

Padmé signed. Bail was right. She too was aware on the Senate's opinion, and her dream of a quieter life was being eroded by the harsh reality. She was the right person to take hold of the Republic's reins in such delicate moment. She had all the right connections and support, she could not deny it even if she wanted to.

She had always done what she thought was right for Naboo and the Republic, and now he knew the right thing to do was to accept the office and become Supreme Chancellor. For the good of the galaxy and her children that would live in it .

Padmé took a deep, steadying breath, then turned to Bail. "Will you accept the position of my Chief Advisor?"

The Alderaan Viceroy straightened. "Of course, Padmé. It will be my pleasure and my honour to be at your side and help you as much as I can."

Padmé nodded and faced the two Jedi masters. "Master Yoda, Master Jinn, I accept the office."

Qui-Gon smiled as Yoda's ears perked up. "Very wise this is, Senator."

There was a moment of silence, during which Padmé recited a brief prayer asking for wisdom and guidance, then she asked, "So what we do now? Shall we call an extraordinary Senate meeting?"

"Yes, yes, we will do that, but first…" Bail hesitated and Qui-Gon encouraged him with a nod, "…but first there is something…personal…we need to discuss."

Padmé arched an eyebrow. "Personal?"

"We need to talk about your children…and your lack of husband."

She looked at him confused. "I don't think I understand."

Bail turned to look at Qui-Gon, clearly embarrassed, and the Jedi master took charge of the conversation.

"Senator, how long do you think it will pass before the press discovers you are a single mother?"

"First of all, I am a widow. Secondly, there is nothing wrong in being a single mother."

"What you say is right, of course, but your marriage with Anakin must remain a secret, at least in the public opinion."

"Why? Because he was a Jedi?"

"No," Qui-Gon shook his head sadly. "Because it is well-known he was Palpatine's protégé. We cannot allow the press to link you to Anakin and Palpatine."

Padmé nodded, it sounded reasonable. "So, what do you suggest we do?"

"Well, since I suppose you do not intend to give Luke and Leia to the Jedi Temple for training…" She emphatically shook her head at Qui-Gon's implicit question, "then the other logical option is that you get married before you are officially invested of the Chancellor office."

"What!" Padmé almost sputtered. They wanted her to get married for political reasons? It was unconceivable. She would have laughed had not the other three been so serious.

"We think you should marry, Padmé," explained Qui-Gon, "with a man able to support you in your new office, with an impeccable reputation and credentials, and willing to recognize your children as his own."

Padmé all but snorted. "Yes, of course. And I suppose you have already found this perfect man," she commented sarcastically.

"Yes, we have. Master Kenobi is willing to marry you and claim Luke and Leia as his children."

Padmé had to force her mouth to stay close and not to open in stunned surprise. Obi-Wan…Obi-Wan was willing to marry her?

"I-I…Master Kenobi cannot marry me. The Sith are forbidden to marry politicians," she blurted out.

Qui-Gon's face paled as he whispered, "As much as it pains me, there is no longer a Sith Order. Obi-Wan is the last one of his kind, and thus he is free from any obligation but his duty to the Republic."

Padmé swallowed. 'Duty to the Republic'. Was it all that remained to Obi-Wan? Was he willing to marry her only out of duty or was there something else?

"An alliance with The Negotiator would be a terrific coup for you, Padmé. He is respected by everyone, Separatists included, and the public opinion has been moved by the fate befallen to the Sith Order," Bail commented.

Padmé sighed. "Does Obi-Wan really want to do this?"

"Yes, he does."

"Then I can say I agree with his "proposal". But first I need to talk with him in private. Is he still residing at the Jedi Temple?"

"Yes," answered Qui-Gon. "He is still undergoing physical therapy for his legs. He is also teaching a couple of classes."

Padmé nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. Blessed Jedi! They had given Obi-Wan something to do, something to keep him busy and prevent him from spending all his time thinking of all he had lost… she swallowed hard. She had not seen him since he had regained consciousness for, like a coward, she had not wanted to be the one to tell him the Sith Order was no longer. She had not wanted to look at his expressive eyes when he would learn the truth, for she knew all of his heartbreaking pain would be reflected there. But now it was really time she went to visit him, to discuss their "marriage" and to give him at least an ounce of the support he had given her when she had needed it.