Thanks for reviewing: Feanariel, DawnDayrider, CloneWarsNerd, and GlaciesTheNerd101

DawnDayrider: Since Barriss bombed the Temple and framed Ahsoka, Ahsoka left the Order. I believe that Ahsoka leaving the Order deeply affected Anakin's decision to turn to the Dark Side, so if she never leaves, Anakin is one step further away from Darth Vader.

Feanariel: Yeah, you will get a bit of Rhea's backstory this chapter!

Disclaimer: You get the idea. I use some lines from the original script in this chapter, so all rights go to Lucasfilm and *sigh* Disney.

(published 4.19.18)

Chapter Six: Padme's Secret

Padmé.

"Oh, Anakin!" She ran up and embraced her husband. "Thank goodness you're back!"

The Jedi stared into her eyes. "I missed you, Padmé."

"There were whispers… that you'd been killed!" she cried.

"I'm back, I'm all right," Anakin assured. "It feels like we've been apart a lifetime. And it might have been if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have let me away from the Jedi Order just for a little while!" He then embraced her and looked at her. "You're trembling. Are you all right? What's going on?"

"I'm just excited to see you!" she lied.

"That's not it," he sensed. "There's something more… What is it?"

"Nothing, nothing!" She began to cry. "You've been gone five months. I've never felt so alone!"

"I've just never seen you like this," he said with a worried look on his face.

Padmé managed a smile. "Something wonderful has happened." There was a sudden pause. "Ani… I'm pregnant!"

Anakin Skywalker was suddenly the happiest man in the world. "That's… that's wonderful!"

Padmé, on the other hand, was even more distressed. "What are we going to do?"

"We're not going to worry about anything right now, alright?" he assured his wife. "This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."

"What do you think the baby's going to be?" Padme asked playfully.

"I think it'll be a girl," Anakin said confidently.

His wife gave a wry look. "I say a boy."

"How do you know?"

"Mother's intuition," Padme said, sitting on the couch. "Boy."

"Well, I have the Force! Girl for sure," Anakin smirked.

"You're impossible." The two snuggled on the couch until the sun began to set.

That night, Anakin Skywalker slept peacefully.

On the other hand, Rhea Isa continued to have those nightmares.

In one dream, her parents fell over a cliff while the man held Rhea back so she wouldn't have to watch.

In another, the same man's helmet fell off to show the face of soldiers currently under her command.

In the very last vision, Ahsoka Tano was made a Jedi Knight. Rhea had to act pleased.

"Rhea?" came Luminara's voice from the kitchen.

"Master?" she replied. She arrived in her room.

"The Supreme Chancellor has requested your presence," Luminara said.

Rhea's eyebrows raised. "The Chancellor? Why?"

"I'm not sure, but get ready and a speeder can escort you there."

As soon as she got to the Chancellor's office, she could tell something was different.

"Chancellor Palpatine?" she called. The old man swiveled around in his chair.

"Young Rhea! Have a seat!" He gestured to a seat at his desk, which Rhea eagerly took. "Now, Rhea, I know that you have a knack for politics and even though you are young, you are quite the responsible one, I hear." He leaned closer. "I need your help."

"What do you mean?" Rhea asked, filled with newfound curiosity.

"I fear the Jedi." Rhea gasped at this. Palpatine continued: "The Council keeps pushing for more control. The're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their... ideals," he said in almost… disgust?

"I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic, sir," Rhea said.

Palpatine mock sighed. "Nevertheless, their actions will speak louder than their words. I'm depending on you."

Rhea looked up hesitantly. "Sir?"

"Rhea, I'd like you to be my personal representative in the Jedi Order."

"No," said Windu.

"No?" asked Rhea incredulously. "Well, why not?"

"Because, you are a Padawan. We will have to investigate why this decision was made by the Chancellor, but for now, we are rejecting his appointment."

Rhea walked calmly out of the Council Room, keeping a cool composure. You felt like storming out of there, didn't you? a voice taunted once again. You wanted to kill Windu.

"No, I didn't," Rhea protested. "I was just angry."

Anger leads to hate, the voice taunted. Hate leads to suffering. We get it. You know the real reason they didn't appoint you. They don't trust you. You were brought into the Order too late. You were eight. You're from Mandalore. Jedi don't come from Mandalore. They don't trust you, and they shouldn't.

Rhea yelled in frustration, glass breaking in her hand. She breathed heavily. Yes, the Jedi were corrupt. They weren't even trying to uphold their values.

Something had to be done.

So... Rhea is Mandalorian. Is that why the Jedi don't trust her. Also, as you could maybe infer, Jango Fett killed Rhea's parents and that is why she is semi-afraid of clones. Because she saw Jango's face. Oh, how I love backstories!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter (with plenty of Skywalker fluff) and remember to review and follow.

May the Force be with you and God bless!

-HH