We Pretend it's Alright
Chapter Twelve
A Hand to Hold
We Pretend it's Alright
"Padme, there's one more thing." Anakin said hesitantly just as Padme was preparing to leave. It had been a week since Bail had told Anakin his plan and today was finally the day he was throwing his support behind Anakin. They had been discussing Bail's press conference for the past hour, among other things, but there was something else Anakin had to do before she left.
"What is it?" She asked absentmindedly as she tucked a set of files back in her back, the press conference she was about to go to on her mind. "Anakin?" She repeated when he didn't answer, still looking through her bag to make sure everything was in order.
"Here."
Padme looked up to see Anakin's hand outstretched towards her. In his grasp was a folded piece of paper. She looked curiously at the paper and then at Anakin
"What is this?" She asked, an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
"Go on, take it." Anakin urged, a small smile on his tired face. "It's nothing to worry about, just something I want you to have for… for the future." He said vaguely, nodding to her and once again extending the paper to her.
"Anakin, what is that?" Padme repeated, his eyebrows scrunched as she looked worriedly at him.
"It's.. well it's a letter. A letter for them." Anakin said, finally just placing down the folded letter down on the table between them.
"Them?" Padme questioned, not sure what Anakin meant, till she noticed where he was looking. Padme looked down at her stomach and then back up at Anakin. "Do you mean… do you mean the babies?"
"Yes." He confirmed, nodding.
"Why would you write a letter to… wait. Anakin Skywalker this better not-" She started, her voice rising before Anakin quickly cut her off.
"It's just in case." He said quickly, trying to calm her.
"In case you-you never…" Padme stuttered, her eyes growing watery as she got choked up.
"Don't cry, no! It's okay, it's just in case, alright?" Anakin said, taking her hands in his and grasping her tightly. "Listen, I know you don't want to talk about it, but if we lose… well I want them to have something from me. I want them to know that I loved them, that I didn't leave by choice."
"Anakin, you think I wouldn't tell them that?" Padme said in disbelief, her eyes still watery.
"I know you would tell them, but I want them to have this too. Proof of how much I loved them, even though they never knew it." Anakin explained, thinking back on his own experiences as a child. "I just, I want them to have this. Okay?"
"Okay." Padme said after a moment of silence, looking up at Anakin with a conflicted expression. Glancing up at the clock, Padme saw that she had only thirty minutes till the press conference. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and placed the last set of files in her bag.
"I've got to run." She said, her voice still a little shaky. Slowly, she heaved herself up, walking around the table to Anakin's side. Gently cupping his face, she drew his head up to hers and kissed him deeply. After a moment they broke apart, their faces still inches apart.
"I love you, Padme Amidala." Anakin breathed, wishing for nothing more than to be able to hold her in his arms.
"I love you too, Anakin Skywalker." Padme murmured back, pressing one last kiss on his lips. She pulled away and swiftly walked to the door and knocked on, her signal that she was ready to leave. She wanted nothing more than to stay here with Anakin all day, but if she wanted to spend the rest of her time with Anakin, she needed to work on getting him out of here.
The door was opened, and she was escorted out, shooting one last look at Anakin over her shoulder and clutching his letter in her hand.
Thirty minutes later, Padme hurried into a large room, full of flashing cameras and reporters shouting questions at her. She tried to ignore the commotion as she made her way to the front of the room, clones escorting her through the crowd. At the front of the room, she took her seat next to Riyo, shooting an apologetic look at Bail, who was sitting behind the podium for her last minute arrival.
"Did I miss anything?" Padme whispered to Riyo as she tucked her bag underneath her chair.
"Not yet, he's about the start." Riyo answered nodding to Bail, who had just stood up. A hush fell over the crowd as he walked forward to the podium
"My fellow citizens of the Republic, we have been through a difficult time. With the persisting war and the death of Chancellor Palpatine, things have not been easy. Yet, we must look forward to the future of the Republic. We look forward to the end of the war and to new leadership. To progress we must join together and unite against sources that threaten us. We must ensure that we can provide families with a safe, prosperous way of life. That we rise above petty differences and work together to end conflicts and stand as a united front against those who wish to tear us apart."
"As we look forward, we must ensure that we set history straight and that no one is left behind in this progression. Before we can move on, we have to face what truly was going on within our Republic and make sure that we are not blaming individuals who are not to blame. We must work with your justice system to truthfully find out what has happened and how we can move forward from that."
"As you know, there have been rumors flying around about the very public death of the late Chancellor. Well these rumors have neither been officially confirmed or denied, it is important that we listen to evidence and keep a level head during this time of questioning. It is not expectable for us to condemn anyone before we know what has happened. Remember my friends, innocent until proven guilty. That is how our justice system works and that is how we must proceed forward with this issue."
"I have known Anakin Skywalker for many years, probably closer than many. I was just as shocked to hear of his arrest as anyone else. I cannot say what is true and what is not, but listen closely to the upcoming trial. The public has a right to the truth and through this event we will find out, whatever that truth may be. I ask you all to listen, to think, as more and more information begins to surface. Together we can make sure justice is served, that the ideals of our Republic are upheld. The ideals I hope to continue as your new Chancellor. Thank you." Bail Organa nodded to crowd and waved, a perfectly practiced smile on his face. "I will now take a few questions before we wrap up."
Instantly reporters were jumping up, yelling out questions until he pointed to a man in the middle of the crowd and everyone fell silent.
"Senator, are you implying that Anakin Skywalker is innocent?"
"I am simply imploring everyone is make sure every fact and detail is explored so that we can insure Mr. Skywalker is a given a fair trial." Bail said simply before selecting another reporter.
"Senator, what do you make of the rumors about your relationship with Senator Amidala?"
"I maintain that those rumors are just that; rumors." Bail said, and Padme frowned slightly. Why hadn't he dismissed that more clearly?
"Senator that isn't answering my ques-"
"Next question." Bail cut in, selecting another reporter.
"Why was Skywalker expelled from the Jedi if he isn't guilty of the crimes he is charged of?"
"From what I understand, and what has been confirmed to me by members of the Jedi council who were present to the event, Mr. Skywalker's expulsion was due to unrelated circumstances than the crimes he was arrested for."
"What are those circumstances then?"
"That is a personal matter between Mr. Skywalker and the Jedi Council. If he wishes to reveal that, that is his business." Bail answered, nodding to another reporter.
After about ten more minutes of this, the press conference ended, and Padme left with Riyo back to her office to discuss another aspect of the trail and the conference.
"So he didn't directly through his support behind Anakin, but he just as well did." Riyo said, pacing back in forth in front of Padme's desk that she was seated in.
"It's smart politically, and for the time being, it will definitely do us good. Once the trial begins in a week and all the information comes out, he plans to reveal his full support for us." As long as everything is going well, Padme thought to herself, trying not think about the alternative.
They talked for another hour or so before deciding to quit for the night. Night had fell upon Coruscant by the time Padme walked out the Senate building another hour later, having finished finalizing her speech for the Senate meeting the next day on the anti-slavery bill she was working on. She drew her coat tighter around herself as she exited a cab at her apartment building and quickly hurried inside.
Not before long she was curled up in her favorite arm-chair in sleeping clothes, holding Anakin's letter out in front of her. Should she read it? Did she want to? The folded white paper seemed to be begging her to read it, but something was still holding her back. This letter was meant to be read only if Anakin didn't survive to see their children grow up, if he wasn't there to raise and guide them through their young lives. No one may ever need to read this, why should she know? But just as she started to decide that she wouldn't, she couldn't help but wonder what he had written. What he wanted to say to their children?
Padme flipped open the paper and began to read the words that had taken Anakin weeks to write, all though she didn't know it.
To my Dearest Children,
How do I even begin to write this? I suppose I should start by saying that I am sorry. I never wanted anything more than to be your father, to watch you grow up into the amazing people that you are. The fact that I was not able to do that is by far my biggest regret and loss. Although I never chose to leave you, I wasn't there for you. I know I can never be forgiven, nor do I ask it. I only wish that you know how much I love you, how much I wish that I could be with you.
I know that your mother will take amazing care of you and that is some small consolation to me. She is the kindest, most caring person I have ever met and will be the most amazing mother to you. I know she will be the best parent any kid could ever ask for. Your mother is incredibly strong, stronger than me or anyone one else. But kids, go easy on her. She deserves that.
I just need you to know that I love you, so much. Finding out that I was going to be a father was one of the happiest days of my life and from the moment I found about you, to the first sonogram and onward, I have loved you. And I'll never stop either.
If I could offer you one piece of advice, even though I'm probably not the best person to do it, it would be this. Stay close to the people that matter to you. Don't let them walk away when there is something you can do to help. And if you feel you can't do anything, keep trying. Losing people you care about are some of the worst experiences of your life. Try to reach out, and you know what, form attachments, please.
I never wished to write this, but I wanted you to have something from me. If you are reading this, know that I love you and that I am so proud of you.
With love always,
Your father
Padme cried. She clutched the letter to her chest and cried. Seeing what Anakin had said… it was too much. She hoped that no one else would ever need to read this, that the version of her life where this became relevant never came to existence.
"Mistress Padme, there is somewhere here to- is something wrong?" Threepio tittered as he hurried into the room.
"Everything is wrong, but I hardly see how crying about it will make it better." She reasoned, smiling to herself and drying her eyes. "Thank you, Threepio. Was there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Oh yes, there is, well there is someone here to see you." Threepio said, before stepping to the side and revealing a very tired looking pair of people, one of which Padme had not truly thought she would ever see again.
"Ahsoka?"
"Padme." Ahsoka's voice was weak as overwhelming emotions raced through her. A flood of guilt filled her as she saw her former friend and family. Padme looked exhausted, sitting around stacks of papers and files, surrounded by her work. On top of that was the fact that this poor woman looked as if she was about to give birth any minute based on the size of her pregnant belly. This was a woman that had taken on so much responsibility in such a time a stressful time, with no one to help her.
Padme stood up when she saw Ahsoka and Rex standing in the doorway. Ignoring Ahsoka's dumbstruck expression, she calmly walked forward and wrapped the young woman in a tight hug, beaming at Rex who smiled back.
"I missed you." She breathed as Ahsoka got over her shock and returned the hug.
"I missed you too." Ahsoka said, not even realizing how much she had until she said the words out loud. The past year had been so lonely, especially when Liolee left. Nothing Ahsoka had done had been able to fill that loneliness, because nothing could. But now, wrapped in the embrace of someone she truly cared about, a small piece of what was missing seemed to return to her. "I really missed you." Ahsoka added, deepening the hug.
Eventually the two separated, Padme wiping away a few tears from beneath her eyes as she stood side by side with Ahsoka, facing Rex.
"Rex, I don't know how you managed to do this but I can never repay you for your actions." Padme started, only no to be cut off by the captain.
"Senator Amidala, the pleasure is all mine. I thank you for sending me on this mission, for letting me bring my sister back home." Rex grinned, giving Ahsoka an affectionate nudge.
Ahsoka grinned back, understanding the honor and meaning behind the title Rex had just bestowed upon her. "I'm glad to be back." She said.
"If it's alright, I'll let Ahsoka fill you on what happened. I have a few people I need to meet with and it is quite urgent, no disrespect to you Senator." Rex added.
"Of course, and thank you again." Padme nodded.
"See you soon." Rex told Ahsoka before nodding to both of them and walking back out of the door.
"Well, would you like a cup of tea?" Padme asked after a minute.
"Tea sounds great right now." Ahsoka responded with a smile, walking with Padme through the apartment and into the kitchen.
"Here let me do it." Ahsoka insisted when they reached the room. "You sit down."
"No, I can-"
Padme, please, let me make you a cup of tea okay?" Ahsoka chuckled, helping a resigned Padme sit down in the small breakfast nook where she and Anakin had sat so long ago. Padme missed those mornings so much. The peace and simplicity of then, the time they had been able to spend together. A time when everything felt normal.
What she would give that now.
"Tea is in the-"
"Left most cabinet on the second shelf. Yeah, I remember." Ahsoka quipped.
"I'm surprised you remembered that." Padme admitted.
"How I could I forget? Afternoon tea was one of my favorite things." Ahsoka smiled, looking away, embarrassed, when she saw Padme's watery eyes.
"Mine too." Padme said, her voice emotional as she once again wiped her eyes. "Sorry about all the crying. It's this damn pregnancy, I swear." She insisted with a watery smile.
"Well, in that case I guess I'll have to get used to it." Ahsoka joked, opening the cabinet full of glasses and looking at the mug section. She saw the mug she had painted for Anakin all those years ago and she felt a lump rise in her throat. She pushed down the feelings that threatened to overrun her and quickly grabbed two blue mugs, shutting the cabinet door and looking away. Why was a silly mug making her feel this way?
"You alright?" Padme asked her as Ahsoka sat down across from her, pushing a steaming mug towards the Senator while cradling her own in her cold hands.
"I just… I still can't believe everything that has happened." Ahsoka admitted. "When I ever thought about returning, it wasn't like this." She shook her head, taking a long sip from her mug.
"I know what you mean." Padme said, looking down at her protruding stomach and the empty seat next to her. "I never imagined any of this."
A silence hung over the two women for a minute. Padme snapped out of the trance first, looking back up at Ahsoka with a kind smile. "So, tell me all about it."
"All about what?" Ahsoka asked, raising an her brow.
"Umm how about where you have been the last year and exactly what you did. Come on, I want to know!" Padme insisted, nodding to her. When Ahsoka hesitated, she added, "Come on, I want to know everything."
"You sure?"
"Of course."
Ahsoka realized that Padme desperately needed a distraction from her own life, and telling her friend about her year apart was the least she could do to help.
"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." Ahsoka teased before launching into just what had happened to her after she walked away from the order, from everything. She told Padme about the months she spend wandering from place to place. She told her about arriving on Lothal, she told her about meeting Hondo.
"Hondo Ohnaka the pirate?" Padme asked, concern in her voice.
"The very same." Ahsoka grinned, "But let me tell you."
She explained how Hondo had taken her in, how she had been adopted by the crew and had found some form of a family again. Then she told her about Tattooine. She hesitated when she began to talk about the circumstances of her first meeting with Liolee, not wanting to scare her. She veered clear of some of the more upsetting parts of the story, and then shifted on to when she had meet her again later that day, when she found her half dead in the basement of the crime lord's house. She told Padme how she took her away, how she watched over her for a month. She told her about how she had finally woken up, and how they steadily became closer.
During Ahsoka's story of Liolee, Padme could not help but smile softly. She recognized the tone in Ahsoka's voice when she spoke of Liolee, and though she was glad Ahsoka seemed to have found something that made her happy, she couldn't help but wonder where Liolee was now.
"A month or two later, we were getting along really well. Like, really well. I was about to go out on a job that would last a few days, and I went to go say good bye to her." Ahsoka explained, but Padme started her a shift in her tone as she contained. She told Padme about the exchange they had shared, knowing Padme understood what that had meant to her. Then she had left the mission with Hondo and Frogon. She told her about returning.
She told her about the note.
"Ahsoka." Padme said softly, reaching her hand across the table and squeezing the others sympathetically. Even months later now, when Ahsoka spoke of what had happened, it still felt like an old wound being reopened yet again. "I'm so sorry. You deserve so much more than that."
"I keep wondering what I did wrong." Ahsoka admitted, looking down.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Padme reassured her."Sometimes people need to go out on their own and there is nothing you can do."
"You think?" Ahsoka asked, looking up unsurley at Padme.
"I know." Padme said with a small smile. "I told Anakain that about a hundred times after you left, and eventually he started to beilve me. You needed to expericne life away from the jedi, away from Coruscant, even away from your family. You gave Liolee a chance at a real life. She clealy cared for you and it must have been too hard for her to tell you."
"I- I guess." Ahsoka agreed, not missing that Padme had called her family. "I just wish she could of told me, let me help her get set up on another planet at least. Make sure she would be okay."
"I know, but sometimes people need to do things alone. Don't blame yourself, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka nodded, not knowing what else to say. A silence fell over the two once more as they sat, Padme's comforting hand still on Ahsoka's. Finally, Padme asked, "So if that was half a standard year ago, how have you been since?"
Ahsoka didn't know how to answer. She honestly felt ashamed. "I- well, I guess you could say I adopted more of a, well, a pirate's way of life."
Padme narrowed her eyes in concern, wondering just what Ahsoka meant by that.
"I started going out with the crew a lot, picking up a lot of their habits. I've been losing some of the values I upheld as Jedi. I'm a different person then I was." She admitted, looking up somewhat nervously at Padme. "I almost didn't come back, Padme. When Rex asked me…"
"It's okay, Ahsoka." Padme assured her, sincerity in her voice. "It's… it's hard to go backwards. To come back to all this, after all that has happened, I understand." Her voice was soft, and Ahsoka looked up to see a sad smile on Padme's tired face.
"A lot has happened." Ahsoka agreed, her voice just as quiet. "I'm sorry I wasn't here, Padme. I should have been."
"Don't, please." Padme stopped her. "You did what you needed to, I understand and so did Anakin. As much as it hurt to watch you go, we all understood why you did. Don't apologize for that."
"Thank you." Ahsoka murmured, squeezing her hand back. "How are you handling all of this, honestly? I can't even imagine how much you are dealing with right now."
"It's not easy." Padme sighed, with a frown. "Between the pregnancy, preparing for Anakin's trial, and the Senate, I'm struggling to keep afloat."
"Why don't you take your maternity leave from the Senate? I'm sure there is someone lined up to fill in for you. You must be due any day now."
"You sound just like Anakin. I'm still about three weeks from my due date, thank you very much." Padme corrected with a small smile. "And I can't abandon my responsibilities like that when I am still capable of performing them."
"You have too much on your plate. Your baby is about to come and with the trial about to start, you really do need some time to relax, to take care of yourself." Ahsoka insisted while Padme frowned. "Sometimes you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of everyone else. It took me a long time to learn that, but I think it's time you tried it."
"There is someone who will be taking over my seat while I am away. I've been training her for a few months as my protégé and she's ready to step in whenever." Padme admitted, pursing her lips.
"Promise you'll think about it, okay?" Ahsoka asked her hopefully, truly worried about her friend.
"I'll think about it." Padme said. A mischievous smile slipped onto the brunette's face and she added, "And it's the babies actually."
Ahsoka scrunched her brow in confusion as Padme laughed. "I swear you are as thick as Anakin. He reacted the same way when I told him."
Then it dawned on Ahsoka just what Padme had meant.
"You're having twins!"
We Pretend It's Alright
The next morning dawned too early for Padme. At seven, she was awoken, only a mere four hours since she had fallen asleep. Groaning, she slowly sat up and got out of bed, barely able to place one aching foot after another. One twenty minute shower later she pulled on her robe and slowly made her way to the kitchen, seeing the two mugs still on the table from the night before. It still didn't feel real having Ahsoka back, and she had stop herself from going to the guest room where the younger woman was sleeping to make sure she was really there. Opening the cabinet, she pulled out cereal and a bowl. After grabbing a spoon, she took her breakfast and walked back through the apartment into the sitting room.
She pulled the curtains open and walked out onto the large balcony. Sitting down on a soft blue chair, Padme stared out at the city sprawled before her. It was so quiet in the mornings, so peaceful. The sun was still coming up and it cast brilliant beams of light between the tall towers. The quiet hum of the city coming to life vibrated through the air as she sat back, placing her feet up on the balcony edge and breathing in the crisp morning air.
She ate her breakfast leisurely, enjoying the peace. In a half an hour, she needed to leave for the Senate building. A full Senate meeting on the status of the war was being held that morning It was crucial her motion to begin negotiations with the Separatists passed. This war needed to end. She had also decided to [start the transition into maternity leave and introduce her protégée and pass along some of her duties as Senator. She would still be the acting Senator of Naboo until the babies were born, but her protégé would start to fill in for her and learn the ropes. Later in the early afternoon, they were meeting with a judge and the prosecution, and a starting date for the trial would be set. They were hoping to buy another week or so, but it was extremely doubtful they would be able to get anything more than a few days. There was long difficult day ahead of her, one that definitely had her a bit nervous.
A few minutes after Padme had sat down, to her surprise, she saw Ahsoka walk out onto the balcony, staring ahead of her, completely unaware of Padme. Padme watched the young woman walk to the edge of the balcony, and rest her elbows on the wall, supporting her head with her hands as she stared out at the city.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Padme said, getting to her feet. Ahsoka looked over, a small flash of surprise fliting across her face as she noticed Padme.
"Quite the view." She said, watching Padme as the Senator moved to stand next to her, gazing out at the city stretched out before them. "It doesn't look this pretty down on the four-hundredth level, that's for sure."
"The wonders of privilege." Padme smiled while shaking her head. "What are you doing up this early?"
"Couldn't sleep." Ahsoka shrugged, looking away from Padme's prying eyes. "What about you, you really could use some more sleep."
"I have a Senate meeting in an hour, got to get ready." Padme grimaced. "And I've decided to start delegating more of my Senate tasks to my replacement. I'm going to have her start to take over some responsibilities for the next few weeks before I have to go. Let her get used to it first."
Ahsoka could sense the slight bitterness in her voice. "It's only temporary. You're doing the right thing for your family and your planet too. Both need someone who can focus all their attention on their own situations."
"I know, doesn't mean it's any harder to start to say goodbye, even if it's only temporary." Padme admitted, sighing. "But, we all have to make sacrifices, don't we?"
Us more than most, Ahsoka couldn't help but think.
"Want to come with me?" Padme asked, shifting her gaze back to Ahsoka.
"To the Senate meeting?"
"Sure." Padme shrugged, not mentioning the trial date meeting for now.
"Yeah, why not?" Ahsoka shrugged, smiling. "It'll be just like old times."
"I've missed by best assistant." Padme giggled, throwing her arm around Ahsoka and walking with her back into the house.
Padme, insisting Ahsoka couldn't wear the scraps she had shown up in, had taken the opportunity to go through her vast wardrobe and had forced Ahsoka into one of her own outfits. "It's not like I can fit into it." Padme shrugged, gesturing to her large stomach. "And it looks great on you!"
"Thanks." Ahsoka said politely. She was wearing a flowing, light blue skirt and a tight, white shirt with half sleeves and an intricately stitched design. It was not what she would usually wear, but if it made Padme happy, she'd deal with it.
"You'll want a coat too, it's been a cold lately." Padme added, handing her a warm golden shawl. Padme, who was already dressed in a flowing, pale pink dress looked positively radiant. Her long hair cascaded down her back in soft curls, the front braided back. She had put on some light makeup and was wrapping a white shawl around herself as well.
"I guess we better get going." Padme said, clasping her hands together. "I just need to grab my bag from the kitchen.
"I'll get it." Ahsoka said at once, not wanting Padme to do any more than she had to.
Ten minutes later, the two walked into the Senate building, Padme ignoring the two reporters who yelled questions at her as they passed. Once inside, Ahsoka asked with a frown, "Do they do that often? That rarely ever used to happen here."
"Every day." Padme said, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice as she smiled and waved to a fellow Senator. "Ever since the arrest and they found out about my pregnancy."
"Unbelievable." Ahsoka said. Like Anakin, she had a dislike for the press, especially now she knew how much they were hounding Padme.
"We'd better head up to the meeting."
We Pretend It's Alright
"The Separatists have not launched any new attacks since the assassination of the late Chancellor." A Senator from Corellia pointed out. "They are weak, their leadership has fallen."
"We continue to fight, finish them off once and for all." A representative from the Banking Clan declared to a cheers and boos.
"We must negotiate!" Riyo countered, her platform zooming into the center of the room. "My fellow Senators, I agree the time to end the war is now. But why waste more lives and resources, when we could offer a cleaner solution.
"We cannot negotiate with terrorists." A Techno Clan representative yelled out.
"Listen to yourselves." Padme demanded, unable to listen to this any longer. She zoomed out into the middle. "The Confederacy of Independent systems is not a terrorist organization. They do not want to fight this war any more than we do. If we extend an olive branch to them, they will except it."
"And how do you know this?" The Banking Clan Representative challenged, zooming into the middle as well. "Are you conspiring with the Separatists ?"
"Of course not, but war has ripped through the galaxy for long enough. Less than two years ago they were ready to negotiate, and things have only gotten worse since them. We both lack leadership and have exhausted our military efforts in this endless war. We must try another approach."
"Senator Amidala, with all respect, in your condition, can we really trust you to think clearly?" The Representative said snidely, mock concern on his face.
"If you are insinuating that my pregnancy is obscuring my judgment, I would advise you to rethink your actions." Padme said, affronted. "My judgment is as clear as it has always been, clearer than yours I might add. The Banking and Techno cCans have moved to prolong this war since the beginning. You have both profited from this affair, have you not? How we can trust your judgment on this matter, when you benefit from this war?"
"These accusations are outrageous!" The representative declared.
"I move for a vote on opening negotiations to end this war!" Padme stated, cheers erupting at her words.
"Silence!" Mas Amedda yelled over the noise. "The Senate floor is now closed. We will vote on this motion when we reconvene in one hour."
"Padme, that was amazing!" Ahsoka exclaimed when she had rejoined her at the entrance to the Naboo's platform. "You shut down that Banking Clan representative brilliantly."
"Thank you, Ahsoka." Padme smiled "Hopefully, my fellow Senators will see past the schemes of the Banking and Techno Clans and vote for this chance at peace."
"Ahsoka?" The two turned around at the sound of the Senator from Pantora's voice.
"Riyo." Ahsoka said, her voice soft.
"I… I didn't know you were here." Riyo said, walking up them.
"I just arrived last night." Ahsoka explained. "It's good to see you, Riyo, it's been a while."
"That it has." Riyo agreed, tearing her eyes away from Ahsoka to look back at Padme. "Padme you were magnificent, the vote simply must go through."
"Hopefully." Padme agreed. "Riyo, would you mind if Ahsoka hung out with you for an hour or so? I have the trial meeting to go to now, but I should be back soon."
"Oh, of course." Riyo said. "Let me know how it goes, okay?"
"Of course." Padme nodded, waving to them as she hurried off to catch the meeting.
"What meeting?" Ahsoka asked, a little peeved that Padme had essentially made Riyo her babysitter.
"They are holding a meeting with a judge and the prosecution to set a starting date for the trial." Riyo explained as they started walking down the hallway. "We've past the standard allowance time now, and the prosecution is really pushing to begin. They don't want to give us anymore time."
"Oh, I wonder why Padme didn't tell me about it." Ahsoka said a with a frown.
We Pretend It's Alright
"The prosecution moves to begin the trial immediately." Reginald Fornium, head of the prosecution stated, staring intently at the Judge in front of them. "The Defense has had more than enough time to prepare their case, and due to the nature of this trial, we find it in the Republic's best interest to begin as soon as possible so that we may but this tragedy behind us."
"Does the defense have anything to add?" The judge asked, shifting his gaze to where Padme, Jinka, and Helgo were standing.
"We simply ask, your Honor, that this trial is not rushed just because if the nature of it. This is a very large case, and it should be fully examined, not brushed over." Helgo stated, returning the Judge's gaze. "Thank you, your Honor."
"It is my determination that both sides have had enough time to prepare, and the trail will begin tomorrow at 10 am in courtroom D. The accused will be moved to this facility tonight. This case will be fully looked into and given adequate time to fully determine a verdict. Meeting adjourned." The Judge announced, standing up and then proceeding to exit the room.
"Tomorrow?" Padme said once they had left the room and were walking back up the Senate. "It feels so sudden."
"I know, but we're ready." Jinka assured her. "I understand that there is a Senate meeting going on right now, correct?"
"Yes, A vote to open negotiations to the Separatists is happening in about twenty minutes." Padme confirmed. "As soon as that ends, I'll head over the prison to tell Anakin."
"I'll come with you." Jinka said. "I must confirm that his move tonight will be done correctly, unlike the last one."
"The vote should be done by noon. I'll meet you in the lobby then?"
Jinka nodded.
"Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you." Padme remembered. "Ahsoka Tano arrived here last night with captain Rex. She has agreed to help with the case in whatever way she can."
"That's great." Helgo said. "I should really vet her then, as she will probably be one of the first character witnesses."
"She's here with me know, how about I bring her down when I meet with Jinka, and you two can go back to the offices to get her informed?"
"That will work well." Helgo said.
"Also, please don't mention her when we see Anakin." Padme added. "I want to tell him myself, but I'm not quite sure how he is going to react."
"Of course, see you then."
We Pretend It's Alright
"Tomorrow?" Anakin asked incredulously, raising his eyebrows at Padme and Jinka. "I thought we had had more time?"
"The prosecution convinced the Judge to begin, hoping to shake us. This is a classic move for the opposition to pull, don't worry." Jinka said with a wave of her hand. "They're trying to intimidate us, to catch us off guard. But they won't, we have what we need to kick off this case strong. Especially now with…" But she broke off after glancing at Padme, who had subtly shook her head. "What I mean is, we're ready." She concluded, not letting her almost mistake show.
"All you will have to do is declare yourself not guilty," Padme added, looking meaningfully at Anakin. "It'll be easy."
"Right, and how again am I responding not guilty even though technically I did kill Sidious?" asked Anakin, wanting to make sure he had his story straight.
"Well, you did not murder him technically," Jinka explained, looking up from the folder in front of him. "You fought him in self defense and he died in the duel. Since he engaged the fight and you had no choice but to fight back. His death does not fit the charges you are faced with."
Anakin nodded, his face screwed up in thought as he contemplated the upcoming hearing. Tomorrow he would declare himself not guilty and this nightmare of a trial would actually begin. It had been twenty-nine days now since he had been arrested, almost a month. Regardless, it still felt too sudden. He didn't feel ready in the slightest.
"Well I have to go finalize the details of your transfer tonight, so, I'll see you both in the morning." Jinka announced, standing up and nodding goodbye to the both of them as she left.
"Are you okay, Ani?" Padme asked quietly after Jinka left.
"No, but it doesn't matter. It's happening tomorrow, so I'll just have to be ready." He shrugged, brow furled. Shaking himself slightly, he looked back up at Padme, concern in his eyes. "How are you dealing with all of this?" His gaze fell to her heavily pregnant stomach. Padme was due in less than a month and he didn't understand how she was possibly able to work at this point in her pregnancy.
"I'm a little nervous, but I feel confident, really." She smiled reassuringly, squeezing his hand.
"We'll be okay, I promise." Anakin smiled, returning the squeeze.
"I know." Padme said, sighing. "I have some good news too. This morning in the Senate, we voted on negotiating with the Separatists to end the war, and the motion passed. This could finally mean an end to the war.
"Padme, that's amazing!' Anakin exclaimed.
"It is no guarantee, as something is bound to go wrong, but nether-the-less, it's a step in the right direction."
"How are you handling of all that with the trial?"
"Anakin Skywalker don't start with that again."
"I worry about you, Padme." Anakin said earnestly, squeezing her hand. "You work so hard to take care of everyone else, I just want to make sure that you are doing the same for yourself."
"I promise I won't over do it." Padme assured him, giving him a small smile. "I can't leave now, just as negotiations are finally beginning, but as soon as the babies are here or as soon as the negations are laid out, I'm going on maternity leave. I've already been delegating some of my duties to the person who I have been training to take my place."
A smile broke across Anakin's face. "That's good. What made you decide that?" He asked, still smiling.
"Oh hold on, the babies are kicking!" She said quickly, effectively avoiding the question momentarily. She still hadn't told Anakin about Ahsoka, and it had been her who had finally convince her to take it little easier. She hadn't told him, not wanting to shake him this soon to the trial. She scooted her chair closer to Anakin's, angling her stomach in a way that he could feel the small kicks even with the handcuffs that they always made him wear in his visitation.
"I'll never get over how amazing that is." Anakin said, Padme's distraction having worked. Padme giggled, leaning over and kissing him gently. "Or how amazing that is." Anakin added cheekily as they broke apart, earning another laugh.
"I miss you so much." Padme said, leaning over and resting her head on his shoulder. "I miss normal. Well," She amended with a smile, "As normal as we ever had."
"I miss it too." Anakin agreed, closing his eyes. "At least the trial starting so soon means it will be over quicker."
"Hopefully."
A brief moment of peace fell over the young couple. But something had been troubling Anakin for a long time finally came up, unable to resist any longer.
"Have you heard from Obi Wan lately." He said, trying to sound casual. Padme saw through the façade at once, but played along.
"I spoke to him about a week ago briefly. I ran into him at Gehlert's as he was leaving from a briefing." She said carefully.
"What was he doing there?"
"He's a character witness, one of the key ones." Padme reminded him. "He has been very helpful, as well as the rest of the Jedi council."
"Great." Anakin said stiffly, resentment in his voice.
"He asked about you."
"Why?"
Padme sat back, looking disapprovingly at Anakin. "Anakin, he cares about you! He wants to help you."
"Right, and where was that mentality a month ago when I really could have used it?" Anakin snorted, anger in his eyes.
"Don't be like that." Padme said, shaking her head. "That's not what happened, and you know it. You need to let go of your anger towards him. It's not doing anything but hurting both of you and your case."
"Easy for you to say! You're not the one stuck in here, waiting to be pretty much executed, because you saved the whole galaxy but were betrayed by someone who you thought you could trust!" Anakin shouted.
"Yes, Anakin, I've had it made while you are just stuck here rotting away." She said, anger now resonating in her voice. "In case you hadn't noticed, being eight months pregnant with twins and an absent husband and father, in charge of a whole planet's affairs in the Republic, campaigning in an election, dealing with a war, and fighting one of the hardest cases ever to keep you safe isn't as easy as I make it seem!" She cried, standing up and grabbing her bag. She started walking towards the door, angry tears brimming in her eyes.
"Padme, wait!" Anakin called out as she walked away, realizing what he had done. He desperately tried to pull his hands free from his restraints with no success. "Come back, please!"
Padme hesitated at the door. Should she really leave things like this? Who knew when the next time she would be able to have another moment with Anakin could be. But on the other hand, he was just so infuriating sometimes.
"I'm sorry Padme, I didn't mean that." Anakin called desperately. "Please, please come back."
Something in his voice struck her. Against her better judgment, Padme turned back around and walked back over to Anakin. She sat down across from him this time, her gaze steely.
"I know how much you are sacrificing for me, it's too much." Anakin started, staring intently at her. "It kills me to see you working so hard to clean up this mess while I can't do a single thing. I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you. I'm sorry I blew up like that. I… I've been trying to work on controlling my anger but when you mentioned Obi Wan… I don't know."
"You asked about him." Padme pointed out, softening but still guarded.
"I thought I could handle it, but clearly I was wrong." Anakin admitted, looking down ashamed. "I'm trying to get past what happened, but I'm having a hard time with it."
"Clearly." Padme said, frowning. "Anakin, I don't understand this, this sense of betrayal."
"He set me up. He was my brother, he knew I trusted him. But her clearly didn't have the same trust in me. He didn't even give me the benefit of the doubt, didn't even talk to me first." Anakin said, hurt in his voice.
"I know he hurt you, but look at this from his point of view. Anakin, you were in a very similar circumstance with Ahsoka only a year ago. You did the same thong Obi Wan did." Padme pointed out.
"I tried to help her, I did everything I could to protect her, even though she ended up leaving, I did my best. Obi Wan just exploited my trust in him to set a trap for me to fall into." Anakin countered, careful to keep his tone level this time
"He is helping, you just don't understand." Padme argued. "He is directly working with the Jedi to help prove your innocence. He's the one that was able to get the exact time of death for the four Jedi masters, proving you didn't kill them. He was the first to volunteer to act as character witness to vouch for you. He cares about you Anakin, he's trying to help you. That's why he turned you in."
"He really did all of that?" Anakin asked quietly after a minute's hesitation, looking back up at Padme.
"Yeah, he did." A silence fell back over the room. "Anakin, I know how frustrating this is for you, knowing what really happened and not being able to do anything about it. But we are working hard to tell what really happened. All of us." She stressed. "I love you, alright, but sometimes you are a bit of an idiot, and right now is one of those times." She crackled and smile, and Anakin returned it, feeling ashamed of his outburst.
"Patience was never my strong suit." He admitted.
"No it isn't." Padme said, shaking her head. She got back up and sat down beside him. "Just hang in there a bit longer, okay? Soon all of this will be over, and it will be just you me and the babies. A new life, just our family." She kissed him softly, wishing they could just skip ahead to that.
"I love you." Anakin said after they separated.
"The feeling is mutual." Padme said with a grin. She gave him one last kiss goodbye, before standing up and walking out the door, the silence hanging over them heavily as both tried not to think about the next time they would be seeing each other.