Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or anything that has to do with it, George Lucas does (Darn it! Oh well but if he ever wants to sell it...)

Summary: AU One year after Attack of the Clones Anakin and his family are on the run from the Empire. As they try to hide on Naboo, problems begin from within as Qui-Gon's health begins to fail.

Warnings: Nothing for this chapter.

Author's Note: This was my first attempt at fanfiction that I started in 1999 and I have rewritten it several times in order for it to tie into the movies a bit better. I just tried to fix some of the spelling, grammar and typing mistakes but bear with me. My CP and dyslexia makes it hard to catch everything.

Chapter 1: Arguments and Decisions

(2 weeks later)

Anakin sat up with a startled cry and started to shudder uncontrollably as his perspiration started to dry. The Jedi Apprentice instinctively reached out with the Force to find any dangers that might be in the room while also attempting to catch his breath. Skywalker cursed in frustration and fought back over a years worth of tears when he realized it was only his nightmares that had woken him. It was just a dream. He thought as he wrapped his arms around himself like he used to do when he was a child. Oh Force, they're getting worse. Lady of Nir'duin, help me please. I can't live like this.

A sharp burning sensation around his chest and abdomen made the young man cry out again, but this time it was in pain. Anakin bit his lower lip before slipping a hand through the several layers of cloth and feeling both wounds to see if the were bleeding.

Anakin, are you all right? A drowsy voice asked him through the mental bond that he held with his Jedi Masters.

Skywalker suddenly realized that it had to be the middle of the night and closed his eyes in shame before looking over to see the younger of the two watching him from the doorway. I'm fine Obi-Wan. He told Kenobi, who was watching him very closely. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you.

Anakin, how many times have we told you? Father and I are here if you need us. Obi-Wan retorted as he quietly walked over to the end of the bed. You had another nightmare?

Yes. Anakin replied before looking around the darkened room and smiled thankfully when he found that his wife was sound asleep next to him. Oh thank the Force I didn't wake her.

You've been slipping in and out of consciousness for most of the afternoon. Kenobi said as he silently shifted his weight from one foot to another. So far your temperature hasn't been high enough to worry me but looking at you now; I'm beginning to change my mind.

I'll be fine. Skywalker told him with a small halfhearted smile. The young man frowned again when he realized that his older brother wasn't going anywhere. Obi-Wan, I'm fine. Please go back to bed. You need the rest too.

I'm fine Anakin. The Jedi Knight said before quietly sighing. Just worried about you.

I wish you wouldn't be. Anakin said before looking down at his lap. Those bounty hunters were killing you and I just stood there watching.

The young man ended up wincing when the bed shifted a little as Obi-Wan sat down on its edge. Anakin. What those men did to me was not your fault. Kenobi interrupted before running a hand through the Padawan's perspiration soaked hair. I would have gladly let them kill me if it would have allowed you, our father and your wife and children to survive.

Obi-Wan took a breath and smiled gently as Anakin looked up. Don't say that Obi-Wan, please. The Padawan said while shaking his head. I don't deserve your sympathy.

Kenobi shook his head. Anakin listen to me. He said as he held up the younger man's head so they were eye to eye. It is my honor and my duty as both your Jedi Master and your older brother to keep you from harm while you are learning from me. I would never forgive myself in anything happened to you while it was within my power to prevent it. I love you Anakin Skywalker. Even if you put spiders in my bed after I tell you how much I'm terrified of them.

At that, Anakin had to smile. There's something definitely wrong with you Obi-Wan. No sane man would keep their younger brother after he put spiders in their bed, even if they were rubber. He told his younger Jedi Master with a smile and his 'I'm worried about your mental health' look.

Yes, well my little imp of a twin has taught you well hasn't he? The other said with a sly smile after reading Skywalker's Force Signature.

The Padawan swallowed hard when he heard Kenobi refer to his fraternal twin brother. Who like them had been adopted by the man they all called 'Master' at one time or another. Damn! He said frowning again.

Obi-Wan smiled in triumph. Hah! I knew Christian had something to do with it!

Damn! He'll kill me if he knows that you found out about his part in it. Anakin said before scowling. Blasted Mental Shields!

Kenobi cringed when he realized they both were being a bit loud. Ani! Shhh! You'll wake our father up. He said before focusing on Jinn for a minute. I think he's still asleep. Blast, he's so hard to read sometimes. I thought after twenty-five years of dealing with our father's little quirks, I would be able to understand him.

Obi-Wan, nobody understands Qui-Gon Jinn. Skywalker added with a smirk. Not even Master Yoda. Besides you're only fifteen minutes older then Christian and five years older then me.

Why did my father have to have you? The other said as he shook his head again.

The Padawan laughed a little. I'm sure you used to ask Christian that too. He said smirking again. And besides, I'm father's favorite.

Very funny you little Imp. Obi-Wan said while trying to resist the urge to smack his younger brother upside the head. You know Nir'duinains don't believe in favorites in their families. At that, Skywalker playfully stuck out his tongue in response.

Do you two need any help? Qui-Gon asked them, mentally joining the conversation from his room. The older man had been quietly monitoring the activity coming from the two brothers incase they needed help and so far he'd seen two things. One, the need to have an extremely serous talk with Anakin about his place in the galaxy and two, remind both Kenobi and Skywalker why they found it so hard to read him.

Both of the younger men cringed. No father. Kenobi said quickly. I've got it.

Then please tell me why you two must be so loud about it. The Jedi Master said as he let his annoyance bleed through the bond he shared with his sons. It's three in the morning and you don't want me in that room at three in the morning without a good reason.

Yes father. Anakin and Obi-Wan said as they cringed again. Back in the Temple, disciplinary actions before the morning Cantor at dawn usually had to deal with a toothbrush and the Refresher in the crèche and it didn't matter that Obi-Wan and Christian were already knights either. Who knew what Qui-Gon Jinn could come up with in the middle of nowhere? Sorry father. They said, both making sure they interjected compliance into their thoughts.

Good I'm glad that's settled. Jinn said, sending them both a mental embrace. Goodnight you two.

They both breathed a sigh of relief when they felt Qui-Gon go back to sleep. How does he do that? Anakin asked.

I have no idea but he used to do that to Christian and me when we were Padawans. I think it's a parenting thing. Now, lie back and let me have a look. Obi-Wan instructed, becoming a healer once again. The Padawan did as he was told and hissed at the pain that the simple movement caused.

"Ani?" A drowsy voice next to him asked as the owner placed a hand on his arm.

The young man mentally kicked himself, "I'm sorry Ami. He whispered. "I'm fine, go back to sleep angel."

"Another nightmare?" His wife asked turning over to face him and threading her fingers through his.

Skywalker nodded and winced as his brother gently pulled back the blankets and carefully untied the strips of cloth that covered the deep wounds on his chest and abdomen, "It's all right Ani I'll be as gentle as I possibly can." Obi-Wan told him soothingly as he placed a cool hand on the young man's feverish forehead. Rest now little brother. He sent.

Thank you. The younger man said before closing his eyes. Finally, after a few minutes of being comforted by his brother's soothing touch and the warmth of his wife beside him; Anakin fell into a dreamless sleep.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

The first thing Skywalker realized when he woke sometime later was that something was jabbing him hard, in the side. He winced before granting himself a small smile as he carefully turned to face his wife; "Somebody is awake in there."

"I'm sorry." The young woman said as she placed a hand on her swollen belly. "Our twins are very active today."

"It's all right Padme." Her husband said before he forced himself into a sitting position before giving her a deep, passionate kiss as he placed a hand on her tummy and massaged gently. "Leia honey, it's not nice to kick your father when he's trying to sleep."

Padme smiled then laughed when she felt their daughter kick again in response to her father's voice and wished, not for the first time, that she was a Jedi herself, "I think she just gave you her answer." She said as Anakin laid back down, positioned himself so that his head was resting on her belly and closed his eyes. Padme took a slow deep breath when she felt both twins move at once, "What are you three doing?"

Skywalker smiled, "The twins are giving me their version of 'The State of the Republic'. He said before lifting his head.

"Is this part of that bonding session that you, Obi-Wan and your father did before we left Coruscant?" She asked.

Anakin had to take a few seconds and think back to the event his wife was speaking of, "Yes." He said after remembering that he, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had each spent a few hours alone with her in mediation after she gave them the news that she was pregnant. "Did my father tell you why we did that?"

"He said something about building mental bond with them so that their developing minds had extra shielding from Dark Side Manipulation before birth." Padme replied carefully. She knew that Dark Side Manipulation was a sensitive subject for her beloved right now and she wished that he hadn't brought it up.

Anakin internally winced. Thank the Lady he didn't know I was going to be a father. He thought before forcing himself to smile, "Did he also tell you that it's a way for the twins to start recognizing Force Signatures?"

"Really?" The other said before laughing. "They're not even here yet and they're already starting their Jedi Training?"

Skywalker's smile turned genuine, "Yup." He said before retuning his head to her belly. "They know the difference between you, me, their Uncle Obi-Wan and their grandfather."

"How can they tell the difference in me? Padme asked as she began to unbind Anakin's Padawan Braid. "I'm not a Jedi."

"Every living thing has a Force Signature baby." Anakin said before wincing as his wife hit a tangle in the strands of hair that made up his braid. "It's just that the signature is stronger in some individuals."

The young woman smiled sadly when she realized that there was one Jedi's Force Signature in the twin's family that was missing, "Anakin." She asked as her husband forced himself to sit up again. "Did Christian ever get our letter about the twins?"

Skywalker ran his hand through his hair before hissing in a breath as pain reminded him of his wounds, "I don't know." He said sadly. "The last letter we got from him was the one concerning me and my…situation."

Padme swallowed hard and forced a smile before she began redoing her husband's braid, "It'll be all right baby. You'll see."

Anakin sighed and looked at his lap, "I hope so baby; I really hope so." He looked around the room as he reached out with the Force, to contact the other two Jedi. "Where's my Father and Obi-Wan?" He asked after sensing that he and his wife were the only ones in the old badly maintained cabin.

"They left a few hours ago, to try and get some supplies. You've been asleep most of the day." Padme told him as she pushed herself up so that her back was against the headboard of the bed.

"Are you all right?" Skywalker asked as he eyed with her with a worried look.

"I'm fine, I just needed a nap." She replied with a smile. "You worry too much."

"Now you're starting to sound like my brother." Anakin smiled weakly before he got out of bed and took a few steps. "Oh Lady, no." He said as he grabbed the wall when the room started to spin.

"Ani!" Padme cried as she got up faster then her large shape should have allowed and ran to help her husband before he collapsed. "Ani you need to rest. You're pushing yourself too hard." She placed a hand on his forehead and felt the fever that should have broken days ago. "Come on baby."

Anakin gasped as he tried to force his damaged chest to take in air and started rambling as his temperature went up, "I should...be stronger...then this."

"Anakin Skywalker." His wife said sternly; trying to get her reasoning pass the young man's fever induced guilt. "You may be a Jedi Padawan but you are still human. Now come back to bed and rest."

"I should...be protecting you...and the twins..." He said; his voice getting weaker the longer he spoke. "You're all that...matter to me...and I almost...killed you."

Padme wanted to scream; her husband was still blaming himself for something that wasn't his fault. The Senate and the Jedi Council had cleared Anakin of all wrongdoing. If only he could see it.

She couldn't, she wouldn't loose him like this. Not when the twins were due in less the two months, "Anakin, listen to me. Baby you are going to kill yourself if you keep pushing yourself like this." She said as tears streamed down her face. "Please Daddy, I can't have these babies all alone. We need you."

"Oh, Ami..." Anakin said looking into her dark brown eyes, just before what little strength he had failed and his wife had to hold him as he slid down the wall that was part of their temporary home.

Padme's eyes were full of unshed tears as she knelt in front of her husband, uniting the bandages that covered his wounds. He was bleeding again and both wounds looked infected. If only it was safe for us to go to a medical center. She thought resentfully. Then he could be treated properly, I wouldn't have to worry about giving birth in the middle of nowhere during the dead of winter. This is all my fault, oh Anakin why didn't you leave me when you had the chance?

"No angel...this is not...your fault...Not your...fault at all." Anakin replied weakly, stroking her cheek with his fingers.

Padme sometimes forgot that one of Skywalker's skills as a Jedi was being able to sense her thoughts and emotions, "Why didn't you leave me when you had the chance?" She repeated out loud, fresh tears flowing down her cheeks. This was the same argument that the young couple continued to have through out their months on the run.

"Because...I couldn't...let him get...his hands on...you or...our children." Anakin retorted weakly placing a hand on her stomach.

"Palpatine." Her voice held nothing but outrage for the man she once thought of as a friend.

"He'll never...take me away...again." Anakin frowned as Padme looked away to hide her tears, "Padme...I'm so...sorry."

His wife looked back towards him, "Anakin, you did nothing wrong, Palpatine used you, he used us all. When will you see this?" She asked before pressing her hands against his abdomen, wincing when Anakin wasn't able to keep from screaming, "I'm sorry Ani, I have to stop the bleeding." His wife said sympathetically, as she kept pressure on his wounds.

"How...bad...is...it?" He asked gasping, almost to the point of hyperventilation.

"Not good Ani, you need to hold still." She replied, knowing it was impossible to lie to a trained Jedi.

"Well, I...should have...been expelled from The Order...and then executed for what I did. So if go...there'll only...be one...less mouth...to feed." Anakin remarked dryly as he did his best to focus the Force into his broken body.

"Ani NO!" Padme shouted as she moved her hands from Skywalker's stomach to his face. "Don't talk like that. Do you understand me Anakin Skywalker? You are going to have two beautiful babies in three months. The Senate and the Jedi Council cleared you of all wrongdoing. Without your testimony we wouldn't have known about Palpatine."

"But the damage...was already...done Padme!" Anakin said. "He knew...Padme he knew...how to attack my people. I told him."

"Ani..." Padme said before a sound in the doorway caught her attention. The young woman looked and breathed a sigh of relief when her husband's father and brother came in, a large brown satchel slung over Qui-Gon's shoulder, "Thank the Force you're home."

"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked, as he knelt next to his sister-in-law and did his best to ignore the pain that flared in his chest and back.

"He tried to walk but only got this far before his strength gave out." Padme explained, still holding pressure on the wounds. "He's bleeding again, it looks like he has an infection and he's still burning up."

"Anakin Skywalker. How many times have we told you not to get up without one of us here?" Jinn said kneeling next to Kenobi.

Anakin used the distraction to change the subject, "I'm truly...sorry Father...but I...need to go to...the Refresher."

His wife sighed, "Why didn't you just tell me Anakin."

There is only...so much room...in that Refresher Padme and it wasn't...the original reason I got up."

"Are you telling me that I'm fat?"

"No you're pregnant and that's a good thing." Obi-Wan said trying to cool things down.

Not the best thing to say, for the young woman still seethed, "Padme." Qui-Gon said softly. "It isn't easy for me to get into the Refresher either, whoever built this cabin must have been Master Yoda's size."

Anakin coughed to get someone's attention, "Excuse me...but I still need...to um, go."

"Oh, most understandable Anakin." Qui-Gon said smiling knowingly as he and Obi-Wan eased themselves under Anakin's arms. "Lift him with the Force Obi-Wan not your back." The older man stated when he heard his eldest son taking quick pained breaths as he prepared to lift his brother. "Ready, on three. One...two...three."

Qui-Gon and Obi-wan lifted their apprentice as easily they would a child and helped him down the hall to the small Refresher. With Obi-Wan being the smaller of the two Jedi Masters, he kept a steadying hand on the young man as he did what he needed to do.

Unfortunately Anakin stumbled on his way out and Kenobi felt his weakened back snap as he tried to keep his younger brother from falling, "Father! Help!" He yelled as his back snapped again, Qui-Gon and Padme where there in a flash. "Take him, my back just went out."

Jinn staggered a little as he picked up Anakin into his arms, relieving Obi-Wan of the dead weight. As the older Jedi carried the apprentice back into the bedroom, Padme gently swung Kenobi's arm over her shoulder and used her other arm to support his throbbing back, "Lean on me Obi-Wan." She said. "I think the best place for you right now is in bed, do you think you can walk with me or should we wait for your father?"

"I don't think my back will let us wait, are you sure you can help me? I'll have to lean on you pretty hard." The other asked her though clenched teeth.

"I'm pregnant Obi-Wan, not disabled." Padme said as they started down the hall, towards the room that the young knight was using.

Obi-Wan gasped in more embarrassment then pain when he placed a hand on her belly when he stumbled, "Don't be embarrassed." The young woman said with a small smile. "If you keep your hand there long enough you might get a 'Hello'."

He did too, one of the twins moved just as they entered the bedroom, "That's definitely Anakin's child." Kenobi said with a pained smile leaning on the bedside table as Padme pulled back the blankets.

"You should feel the boy." Padme said placing a hand on her stomach and caressing it thoughtfully. "Now this is going to be the hard part, getting you into bed with as little pain as possible."

Their tall answer came in at that moment, "I'm sorry that took so long." Qui-Gon said coming in to help them. "Anakin kept trying to get up to help us. He thinks this is his fault." Together the young woman and the older Jedi Master assisted Obi-Wan onto the bed, with little to no pain. "I don't want you out of this bed without help Kenobi. Do you understand me?" He told his son with his renowned uncompromising tone.

"Yes Father." The other replied sheepishly.

"Good, now get some rest and I'll check on you later." Jinn said before he and Padme left, partially closing the door. "Padme." He said. "What where you and Anakin talking about when Obi-Wan and I came home? His mental shields are extremely weak due to the fever and the trauma his mind has been under and I was able to pick up on his emotions. The problem is that they where so jumbled up that I was unable to pinpoint the cause."

"It was the fever Master and his guilt." Padme said trying her best to explain what had happened. "He blames himself and only himself for what happened to The Order."

"What else did he say child?" Qui-Gon asked when she trailed off.

"That he should have been expelled from the Jedi Order and executed for his crimes." She said before looking at the floor in order to hide the fresh tears that were falling.

Jinn pulled Padme into his arms and ran a hand down her back, "It will be all right Padme. Anakin will be all right."

"Will he ever be able to forgive himself?" The young woman asked.

"I don't know." The older man said sadly, thinking of Anakin now as his son instead of his apprentice. "Anakin's innocence was taken long ago but I think that someday soon he'll open up and cry. He never cried for his mother nor did he cry for his friends he lost when the temple was destroyed." Qui-Gon's head shot up and he gave his daughter-in-law a lopsided smile even though his gray eyes held unshed tears. "Anakin is trying to get up again. Do you think you can help me change his bandages?

Padme smiled, began to follow her friend down the hall and frowned when she heard the older man utter a curse under his breath before he began coughing violently, "Master Jinn, are you all right?" She asked, putting a hand on his arm.

Qui-Gon looked at her and tried to smile in order to reassure her, "Yes, I'm fine." He told her between coughing spasms as he headed towards the Refresher. "Go to Ani, I'll be in as soon as I get some water."

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

"Anakin, no." Padme ordered when she came into the room and found that her husband was indeed trying to get out of bed again. "You need to stay still baby. Your father will be here in a few minutes."

The young man cried out in frustration when the pain became almost unbearable, "Is Obi-Wan okay? I'm...sorry, I didn't mean...to hurt...him." He choked out barely conscious.

"Shhh, Ani. He's fine, don't worry." Padme said softly, running a hand though his dark sandy blond hair as Qui-Gon came in the room. "Everything will be all right, you'll see."

"Help me." Anakin pleaded as his father started unpacking the satchel. "Please; it hurts just to breathe."

Jinn looked up from what he was doing and abandoned the satchel for a moment when he saw that his son's lips were beginning to turn blue, "Padme. Go into Obi-Wan's room and grab his medical pack." The Jedi Master ordered gently as he elevated the Padawan's upper body into a sitting position and slipped behind him before resting the boy's head against his chest. "There is an oxygen canister and mask in it."

"No." Skywalker pleaded as his wife left to get the requested item. "Father, please. You…know how scared…those masks…make me."

"I know little one." Qui-Gon said softly as he took one of Anakin's hands in his own. "It won't be like in your visions I promise."

Anakin looked up, "Will you stay with me?" He asked

"Of course I'll stay with you." Jinn said softly as Padme came back with the medial pack. "I wouldn't even think of leaving you."

"Father." Obi-Wan said as he came in a few seconds later. "What happened?"

"What are you doing out of bed?" The Jedi Master asked his eldest son as the knight staggered over to the bed that held the wounded Padawan.

"He insisted Qui-Gon." Padme replied before she set the pack on the bed and grabbed a chair for her brother-in-law to sit in.

"When did this start?" Obi-Wan asked after he eased himself into the chair and began to pull out some equipment.

"Right before I sent Padme in to get your medical pack." The Jedi Master answered.

"Padme, can you trade places with my father?" Kenobi asked as he attached the oxygen canister to the mask and made a few adjustments to both items. "And try to keep him calm?"

"Of course Obi-Wan." She replied before allowing Qui-Gon to help her position herself so that she was keeping her husband semi-upright but the majority of his weight was off their unborn children. "It's okay Ani, I'm right here and I'm not going to let you go."

"Ready Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked before he handed the mask over to Jinn. "I want you to take slow, deep breaths little brother."

Anakin nodded before closing his eyes and taking as deep of a breath as he could when his father slipped the mask over his face.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

Two hours later, with Obi-Wan back in bed and Anakin passed out due to his temperature; Qui-Gon made another attempt at unpacking the satchel, "We were able to trade for some old cloth that we can use as bandages and for some food and water too." Jinn said as he looked at the shaking form of his youngest son. "We should have tried for some medicine too damn it."

"You did your best with what we could spare." Padme said as she and the older man pulled the rest of the old bandages off. "I just wish we could get him to a medical center or at least somewhere more comfortable then this drafty cabin."

"I don't know Naboo well enough to even begin thinking of places would be safe for us to go." The Jedi Master said discarding the used, bloody bandages.

"What about my family?" The young woman asked inclining her head in thought. "Like I told you before, my parents live about a two hour walk from here."

"But it's against the law to shelter a Jedi." Qui-Gon pointed out with his usual diplomacy.

"Against the law of a dictator."

"I see." Jinn said crossing his arms over his chest, deep in thought. "So, what would be the best way to contact them?"

"I'll go speak with them tomorrow." Padme said. "I think that would be the safest way."

"We can't leave Anakin and Obi-Wan alone."

"You can stay with them."

"Absolutely not. You're not going alone, not in your condition." The Jedi said in the same tone he had used with Obi-Wan earlier.

"Like I told Obi-Wan, I'm pregnant not disabled."

"That's right, you're pregnant, let us not forget who and what the father is. That and the weather is getting colder."

He had a point, "Well, what do you suggest Master Jinn?" Padme said sweetly. The former senator/queen was not afraid to play hardball with a renowned Jedi Master, even if he was her husband's father.

Force, this woman is stubborn. Qui-Gon thought he gently massaged his temples; his head was throbbing, and that usually was the first sign that told him that he needed to lie down. "You're right, you should be the one to speak to your parents." He said fighting the ever-increasing nausea that went with these headaches. "Under escort. We'll wait a few days, until Obi-Wan is strong enough to look after Anakin then I'll take you to your family."

Padme looked down at Anakin then back up at the older man, "All right, I except."

With that issue settled, Jinn smiled and nodded slightly before quickly turning on his heels and running for the Refresher to throw up.