Chapter Seven – The Point Of No Return

The sun rose the following morning over Lake Country, but when Anakin stepped out onto the balcony into the daylight he saw that the sun was obscured by a load of white clouds. It didn't make the day dark, but the humid air remained. None of that mattered though because Anakin felt a lot better than he had the day before. He felt free and relaxed especially because he had slept all through the night without a single nightmare. He felt more certain than ever that he had made the right choice in coming here.

Looking back into the room, he saw that Padme was just waking up. She was so beautiful even without her make-up and her hair styled. There was no other beauty in the galaxy which could hold a candle to his wife's. For her true beauty wasn't just her looks it was in her heart too. Her loving and understanding personality gave her a beautiful heart to match. She looked up at him from the bed and her dazzling smile warmed his heart.

Sometime later, they were seated in the dining room having their breakfast when Ahsoka came in.

"Morning Snips" Anakin greeted her.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Padme offered.

"No thanks, I already ate," she said.

It was then that Anakin noticed that she wasn't the same as she was last night. She looked as though something were on her mind. "What's up Snips? Is something wrong?"

The Togruta seated herself down at the table and met Anakin's eyes. "Anakin, last night Obi-Wan arrived. I saw his fighter fly in and I watched as he looked in on you both through the balcony window while you were sleeping."

Anakin's heart had plummeted down into his stomach. If Kenobi was here and he had looked in last night, then he surely now knew as well. Why had he not sensed him? Then again he had slept so deeply last night that he would not have noticed. He put his cutlery down and felt both his appetite and his happiness start to drain away. Padme put her arm round him and rubbed his back.

"It's alright though," Ahsoka continued. "I spoke to him when he returned to his ship and I convinced him to wait and hear you out first and explain everything before he made any report to the Jedi. He's waiting upstairs at the moment, until you are both ready to speak with him."

After a few seconds of silence Padme rose from her seat. "Thank you, Ahsoka."

Anakin rose also, but he still felt worried. Worried about what Kenobi would say to him. But if his master had listened to Ahsoka and was willing to hear him out, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But that did not lessen his deep concern.

"Do you want us there, Ani?" Padme asked kindly.

"Yes, I can't do this alone. You're the diplomat and lot better at making people see sense than me." Padme smiled and took his hand. Returning the smile he also rose to his feet. "You're welcome to join us too, Snips." Anakin offered. "I think I may need your support."

Ahsoka's forlorn expression melted to one of delight. She stood up and also smiled. "Thank You, Sky-Guy. Of course I'll be there."

Anakin nodded and turned to C-3PO who had been standing silently off to the side. He instructed his friend to clear everything up from the table which Threepio loyally compiled and the three of them left the room.

Soon Anakin and Padme were seated side by side on a sofa in the living room. They kept their eyes on each other taking in the moment alone with each other. Anakin did not know what would come to pass, but he vowed that nothing Obi-Wan or the Jedi said would tear him away from Padme. But it would be worse if he was condemned for something which was not against human law. To love someone was not a crime, and he hoped Obi-Wan would be reasonable enough to understand this. He put his hand over the bump of Padme's stomach as though he were assuring his child. Padme's hand covered his and they exchanged small smiles.

The door opened and Anakin took a deep breath before he turned round and saw Obi-Wan standing with Ahsoka in the doorway. He released the breath he'd been holding when he realized that Obi-Wan didn't look at all angry or disappointed. His expression was peaceful and calm as it often was.

"Hello Anakin," he said as though this was any normal day.

"Hello Master," Anakin replied, uncertainly, as Padme took his hand again.

"Senator Amidala," the Jedi master greeted Padme with a curt bow. Padme nodded, still holding Anakin's hand.

"Hello Obi-Wan," she said.

He walked over to the sofa and knelt down on one knee in front of Anakin. "When I heard you'd fled from the Temple without a word, I was very worried."

Anakin closed his eyes. "I was being torn apart, Master, by everything. I didn't know when you'd return and there was no one else I could turn to." His eyes opened again when he felt a familiar firm hand rest on his knee.

Obi-Wan's face was full of sad sympathy. "I understand Anakin. Don't feel ashamed."

Assured by his words, Anakin sat up straighter on the sofa and Padme squeezed his hand.

Standing back up, Kenobi addressed the couple. "I also understand that you both wish to explain some things to me, so I can have a better understanding of this relationship between the two of you."

Anakin sat still but managed to say, "Yes, we do."

Kenobi went and seated himself on the opposite sofa. Ahsoka closed the door and seated herself on the arm of the sofa next to Anakin. After glancing at both the girls, he faced his Master and just like he did the previous night, he explained everything in the best details he could. Padme filled in the gaps with her own side of the story. Anakin however, had so far avoided telling Kenobi about slaughtering the Sand People on Tatooine, and his recent disturbing dreams about Padme's death. He was relieved that his wife hadn't pointed this out at all. Either she didn't realize it or she felt it was his own right to tell. His best guess was the latter.

Normally when people finally reveal a truth they have been protecting, in their hearts they know they are doing the right thing. But Anakin felt as though he was passing the point of no return. He felt like a hand was fisted round his heart and squeezing tight and crushing it, but he kept on speaking.

"…so I waited in the Council chamber but I…I felt so awful. I feel like the Jedi don't trust me anymore. They won't let me sit on the Council as a Jedi Master, they wouldn't let me accompany you to Utapau and Master Windu told me to stay out of it when he went to confront the Chancellor. Even after I had done what you said and found who we were looking for, after all I have done for the Jedi, I feel like nothing but an outsider to them. And furthermore, I know that there are things you aren't telling me. What did I do to deserve any of this distrust?!" His voice was rising almost to a shout and Padme quickly put her hand on his chest and the other on his shoulder. He relaxed against her touch and looked back to his Master.

Obi-Wan's expression was full of sadness and he let his eyes drop to the floor. "You're right Anakin. I confess there are things the Council and myself have kept from you. But I can assure you that I never intended to hurt you like this."

Anakin stared at him. "But why keep secrets from me? Why allow me to suffer like this? Why did I have to go through it all? Is this some cruel trick the Masters have to suffer in order to complete some sort of test of inner strength?"

Obi-Wan looked flabbergasted. "No, of course not, Anakin. The reason the Council did not grant you the official rank of Jedi Master is because they decided that you were not ready for such a high rank."

Anakin glanced at Ahsoka seated on the arm next to him then back to the older man. "Then what was I to Ahsoka if I was not a Master?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "You did prove yourself capable of teaching your own Padawan, Anakin. Very well, I might add, considering all she went through, and that you were able to prove her innocence when others couldn't. And looking at you now Ahsoka, I can see that he did better than any of us ever imagined."

Ahsoka bowed her head once in gratitude, but said nothing.

"Our main concern Anakin, was your fear and your emotions which often seem imbalanced. There have been times when you let them get the better of you. You must understand that to be a Jedi Master, you must control both your fear and your emotions and be more calm minded and disciplined."

Anakin slumped back on the sofa because he knew that Obi-Wan was right. Padme rubbed his shoulder comfortingly and he held her hand.

"Which now brings me to another reason. Due to your marriage bond with Padme, the strong love you both share, it is evident that you fear losing each other." The couple looked into each other's eyes and Obi-Wan brought his fingers to his chin. "Another reason why the Council will deny such a high rank. This is very serious, and I hope you realize that Anakin."

"The rule of no attachments," Anakin answered, gloomily.

"Exactly," Obi-Wan confirmed despondently. He stood up from the sofa. "Ladies, would you mind letting me speak with Anakin alone for a moment?"

Ahsoka glanced at Anakin with agitation, but he nodded, so she stood up and went over to the door. Padme kissed his cheek and gave his hand another reassuring squeeze.

"You'll be fine," she whispered. She also stood and left the room with Ahsoka.

Once the door closed behind them, Anakin found he could no longer face Kenobi and stared down at his boots, his hands clenched in his lap.

"Anakin, as a Jedi Master I would say that now I can see why we should not grant you the rank of Jedi Master. And have good reason to see you are expelled."

Anakin felt his heart sink further into his stomach, this was sure to be the point of no return.

"However, as a brother and friend, I can understand the reasons for your actions."

Anakin's head shot up and he saw that Obi-Wan's face was thoughtful.

"You are different from nearly all other Jedi. You did not start out in the normal way we would with a youngling or Padawan. And from all you've told me, I can understand your motivations. You remember I once had feelings for Duchess Satine. Yet I see that you can not hold back your feelings because you grew up knowing how it feels to have attachments, unlike the rest of us. You met Padme as a child and had no inkling you were destined to join us. So you would not have had any reason to restrain these feelings."

Anakin glanced out of the window. "I love her, Master, more than you know. I love her so much that I would give up my own freedom for her. I can't live without her, she is my life. But I needed to become a Master so I would have the full capability and power to protect her."

"And the baby," Obi-Wan added and Anakin knew that it wasn't a question but a statement.

He stood up and went to stare out at the lake. "To protect my family," he stated.

Kenobi came to stand beside him. "This is certainly something which has never happened in the history of the Jedi. I can feel that the child is Force sensitive. I believe you can sense it too?"

Anakin nodded. "I never thought I would become a father and I never imagined that my child would inherit my powers."

"It is certainly a monumental turn of events. Never did I think myself that anything like this would happen to you or any other Jedi."

They stood in silence for almost a whole minute just watching the beautiful lake. The sun was still obscured by the white clouds and showed no signs of breaking through. After they watched a bird glide through the air near the lake's surface, the Jedi master turned round to face Anakin properly.

"I'm afraid Anakin that this situation cannot be kept secret from the Jedi Council. You will have to come back with me to the Temple."

Anakin's head shot round. "But Master I…"

"Anakin," Obi-Wan silenced him. "You don't need to worry right now. This situation is only part of the reason why you must return with me. There is another case that needs to be seen to, which we need you for, one concerning Darth Sidious. If you refuse to return, then you will only make matters worse for yourself." He gently held Anakin's upper arms. "You remember what happened when Ahsoka fled after she was accused? It became more severe. And the last thing I want is for you to be condemned, you understand?"

Anakin wanted so badly to refuse and declare that he would not leave this lovely place, but looking into Obi-Wan's clear blue eyes, he knew his Master was right. He would make himself, and the situation worse, and he would be beyond the point of any return. Not taking his eyes from Obi-Wan he nodded resolutely. Kenobi patted his shoulder and gave him a small smile.

Padme and Ahsoka were called back into the room and they sat back down with Anakin on the sofa while Kenobi remained standing.

"We're going back," Anakin announced somberly.

"Back!" Ahsoka exclaimed. "But Anakin we…"

"Ahsoka," Obi-Wan interjected. "I'm afraid that we can't just keep this marriage and the baby a secret. Anakin must step forward and reveal this relationship before the Council."

"But Obi-Wan, you know what they'll do if they find out. Ani will be expelled," Padme implored.

"I'm sorry Padme, but there is no other option if we are to avoid this becoming any more severe. I don't want this to turn into anything bad. There is also another reason why Anakin must come back. Darth Sidious had been captured and imprisoned."

Anakin's head jerked up, and Padme's eyes widened as Ahsoka leapt to her feet.

"Yes, Masters Windu, Fisto, Kolar and Tiin went to arrest him the other night. Sidious did not come clean and engaged all four of them into a lightsaber battle. Sadly, Master Kolar and Master Tiin were slaughtered during the fight."

Anakin's heart sank when he heard the news and he could see that Ahsoka was saddened as well. Though not bound by blood, the Jedi had felt like his family. The loss of even just one was a heartbreaking pain.

"Master Fisto was wounded, but he survived the attack and was able to help Master Windu defeat and capture the Sith Lord."

Anakin was relieved to hear that Palpatine was imprisoned, but he still felt despairing that his old friend had really been their enemy. That was one fear out of the way, but there was still more he was afraid of if he returned. Would the nightmares continue?

"So Anakin must come back to the Temple to also give testimony of what he found out. I'm sure that you all understand that."

"I certainly do understand, Obi-Wan," said Padme, "But only as long as Ahsoka and I can accompany you both."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Of course you can. I'll go inform the Temple and you can get ready." The Jedi master departed and Anakin and Padme stood up.

"I'll tell Captain Typho," said Ahsoka and she headed off outside.

The couple made their way back to their room in silence with their arms round each other. Just when Anakin thought he might be spending the rest of his life here in Lake Country, it seemed that it had all been some fantasy because reality had come crashing down on him once again. Now everyone would find out the truth, and an uncertain future lay ahead for both of them.

Author's Notes
Hello my readers! I'm glad I mangaged to make a longer chapter this time. Hopefully it will be the same with most of the rest. I'm still working on the chapters to come and I'm confident that this story will come together quicker than I guessed, fingers crossed. Your support is one of the most important things which helps me to keep on writing, so keep it up :)

Thank you Carrie2sky for your Beta reading.

May The Force Be With You
LouisaJane007