THALIA

Thalia had set Padme up in one of the palace's lounge areas, overlooking the forests beyond the city. As she led Obi-Wan down the corridor, Thalia felt the weight of the conversation they needed to have dragging her into the stone floor beneath her feet. But Obi-Wan needed to find Anakin and whatever his future held, it relied on Padme's cooperation.

She rang the small bell beside the frosted glass door and after a moment, it slid sideways to reveal the stone and marble lounge room beyond. Padme was sitting back on a deep sofa, staring out of the tall windows.

"How are you feeling?" Thalia asked, watching her friend stare distantly out at the forests. Padme started when she saw she had visitors and went to stand, but Thalia waved her back down, sinking into the cushions beside her. Obi-Wan briefly hovered in the doorway, allowing the two women a moment, before stepping into the room and perching on the ottoman opposite the sofa.

"Worried, afraid…" Padme answered but Thalia could sense her wariness at Obi-Wan's presence.

"Padme, when was the last time you saw Anakin?" She asked gently. "Obi-Wan's worried about him." That wasn't a lie, but it would hopefully let her drop her guard slightly.

"Yesterday." Padme replied lightly.

"And do you know where he might be now?" Thalia asked.

"No." She said resolutely, turning back to the windows. Thalia chanced a glance at Obi-Wan, who inclined his head passively before leaning forward.

"Padme, I need your help." He said and Thalia took the opportunity to take Padme's hand in both of hers. "He is in grave danger."

"From the Sith?" Padme asked, turning worried eyes back to the Jedi.

"From himself." Obi-Wan answered and paused, trying to bring himself to say what he must. "Padme, Anakin has turned to the Dark Side."

Thalia watched her face shift from surprise to confusion and then to anger. She was on her feet in an instant, wrenching her hand from Thalia's as she rounded on the pair.

"You're wrong!" She cried and Thalia stood too. "How could you even say that?"

Obi-Wan pushed himself to his feet and didn't meet Padme's glare as he moved past her to look out of the tall windows. "I have seen a-a security hologram…of him…killing younglings." He said, running his hand along his jaw as if disgusted by the words he'd just spoken.

"Not Anakin. He couldn't." Padme insisted, turning to Thalia for support.

"He was deceived by a lie. We all were." Obi-Wan said regretfully as he turned his back on the window. "Palpatine is the Sith Lord we've been looking for. After the death of Count Dooku, Anakin became his new apprentice."

Padme backed away from Obi-Wan, like his words physically stung her. She nearly stepped into Thalia, but she held out her hands to steady her friend. Together, they sank back down onto the sofa. "I don't believe you…I can't."

Obi-Wan took a seat on Padme's other side, careful not to overwhelm her but desperate for her help. "Padme, I must find him." He said.

"You're going to kill him, aren't you?" She asked suddenly and Thalia could see it took every bit of strength in him not to look away from her.

"He has become a very great threat." Obi-Wan said steadily.

"I can't." Padme choked and looked away. Thalia knew she wouldn't, and it seemed Obi-Wan knew it too. His gaze shifted to Thalia, who was trying not to cry. He got to his feet and turned towards the door, but paused.

"Anakin is the father, isn't he?" He asked. Padme didn't need to do anything apart from avoid his gaze for him to know the answer. "I'm so sorry."

When the door closed behind Obi-Wan, Padme finally burst into tears. Thalia immediately had her in her arms, allowing her own tears to fall freely. They didn't speak. They just held each other and cried. What else could they do?

. . .

"Did you know?" Obi-Wan asked as he stood by the windows in a similar lounge room to the one Thalia had just left Padme in. She'd had her friend brought some soothing tea and had insisted she lie down. Thalia had told her she didn't have to rest if she didn't want to, but she wouldn't allow her to pace anymore. Padme had reluctantly agreed, but once her head had touched the pillows, she was asleep.

"Yes." Thalia admitted. She thought Obi-Wan might have been disappointed or even angry, but he simply nodded. She wasn't ashamed to have kept Padme and Anakin's secret, but she couldn't ignore the seed of guilt that had been planted in the pit of her stomach. But she never could have predicted it would have come to this.

"Are you alright?" He asked to her surprise. Of all the people in the palace who were suffering, she had the least to be miserable about.

Then again. She sighed and pushed herself out of her seat, moving over to join Obi-Wan at the window, her gown gliding smoothly behind her.

"My two closest friends are in pain and there's nothing I can do to stop it. So, no. Not really." She admitted, furiously blinking away the sting of fresh tears. She thought she'd emptied herself of them with Padme.

Obi-Wan turned to her, his face solemn but gentle. He placed both his hands on her shoulders and let them trail the length of her arms until his hands curled around hers.

"I know." He said, leaning forward to press a kiss against her forehead. Thalia leant forward and let her head rest against his chest, her arms hanging loosely beside her. Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the crown of her head. She sighed deeply, taking in his scent. He smelled like a mix between woodsmoke and woollen robes. Just like home, she thought.

"Your Majesty." A cry came from the doorway before it was even fully open and Thalia placed a hand on Obi-Wan's elbow as she stepped away from him, letting him know she appreciated his comfort.

Minister Guin stumbled through the doorway, breathing heavily with her hand clutched to her chest.

"What is it?" Thalia urged.

"Senator Amidala…" Guin panted. "…she's boarding her ship. Says she doesn't want anyone with her."

Thalia and Obi-Wan shared the same thought instantly. Anakin.

"Thank you, Guin." Thalia said quickly before the pair ran from the room, heading for the landing platforms. This was Obi-Wan's chance. Padme was undoubtably headed for Anakin, being the stubborn woman that she was. She wouldn't believe what Obi-Wan had told her until she saw it with her own eyes.

As they burst onto the platforms, Thalia saw the Naboo Cruiser's engines begin to glow as the engines came alive. Once she realised, they would make it in time, Thalia reached for Obi-Wan's arm.

"Wait." She gasped, dragging him back to her, their lips meeting with a bruising force. His hands cupped her face, his fingers pressing into her cheeks. When he pulled away from her, her lips felt bruised, but she didn't care.

"I'll return. I promise." Obi-Wan breathed, already backing away from her.

"May the force be with you." She said, but he was already gone. Thalia watched as he leapt up the ramp and disappeared into the ship to find somewhere to hide.