Leia followed Padme and the man to where his boss was waiting for them. She noted there was three animals with him causing her to frown. Not only did he have one but three, which would explain why she lost contact with the Force quicker then she expected. She glanced at Luke and Ben as they nodded in agreement. The more the better.

Padme slid into the seat across from their main contact as he watched her with a curious expression. "Mi lady, I never expected to find you in this kind of establishment."

"Captain Grias, it's nice to see you again," Padme answered smoothly with a genuine smile.

"My curiosity is peaked, mi lady, what do you need them for?" Grias questioned with a frown as Leia glanced at Luke noting he looked as pale as she felt. Losing connection with the Force was a bit more nerving then she was expecting.

"It's on a need to know bases for now," Padme answered honestly. "Its best the less people know, the better. And I'm prepared to offer a substantial amount," she placed a brief case on the table and opened it to reveal fifty thousand credits.

Grias nodded in appreciation as he leaned back. "I'm willing to give up all three for that amount, or can I get them back later?"

"We'll do our best they get back to you safely," Padme reassured Grias with a reassuring smile. "Do we have a deal?" She questioned as she held out her hand to Grias as he shook it.

"We have a deal, where do you want them delivered?" Grias questioned in curiosity as he eyed her physical condition. "Who are you seeing?"

"Excuse me?" Padme questioned with a frown.

"You're pregnant," Grias pointed out with a slight smile. "Congratulations by the way. Who is the father?"

"The relationship is slowly coming out," Padme answered with a frown. "For now its best if I don't say. The reporters will have a field day."

"Skywalker?" Grias questioned with a knowing smile as Padme looked shocked. "Lets say you two are less then careful when around each other. I knew something was going on between you two, but I wasn't sure how deep the relationship was until now."

"I see," Padme gave a small smile and nod in acknowledgement. "It's Anakin, and we're married. And I want them delivered to our apartment this afternoon."

"Very well, mi lady, I will have my first lieutenant here have them delivered by then," Grias nodded to the man standing beside him. "Congratulations to the both of you. I wish you and Anakin a beautiful future together."

"Thank you, Captain."

Anakin walked down the ramp of the ship with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka standing beside him. Rex and Cody were taking up the rear causing him to keep a straight face. He could sense Palpatine's mood turn to one of shock causing him to smile on the inside. The man hide his feelings well by giving a small smile. "Your Excellency, the mission was a success."

"So I heard, Master Skywalker. Well done to everyone, come it's time for a debriefing," Palpatine said as he turned towards his office. "Master Kenobi, I would like to start with you and then Master Tano."

"Of course, your excellency," Obi-Wan answered with a frown as Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan with a suspicious expression. Usually Palpatine interrogated him first, which only made Anakin well aware that Palpatine really was suspicious of him not being with the fleet.

As Obi-Wan disappeared into the office Ahsoka gave Anakin an I told you this wouldn't work expression. He had to try to keep up with the charade. It's a good thing Obi-Wan gave his squadron an easy task and the debriefing should go well. He hoped Padme had the animal by now, he had a feeling their time to move was now approaching.

The chancellors door opened and Obi-Wan walked out as Ahsoka entered the room. Obi-Wan leaned close to Anakin and whispered. "I can sense fear coming off of Palpatine. And I sensed the dark side from him for the first time ever. He is the Sith Lord we have been searching for."

"We arrest him and have a team search for evidence, Padme has a team of splicers ready to go," Anakin whispered back as Obi-Wan gave a slight nod.

"Palpatine seemed more interested in what you did with the fleet then debriefing me," Obi-Wan warned him causing Anakin to frown. "Remember everything I told you and you should be fine."

"I don't know about this anymore," Anakin muttered under his breath as his hand subconsciously brushed the hilt of his lightsaber. "He knows more then he's letting on."

"Agreed," Obi-Wan answered honestly. It was a good thing Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and he went over what he would tell Palpatine.

"Obi-Wan, I suspect a confrontation may come sooner then expected. Get a hold of Padme and let her know we may need those animals sooner then later," Anakin whispered as he felt a shift in the Force. He sensed Palpatine brushing his mind with his own as he strengthened his mind shields.

"Pending she has them," Obi-Wan agreed with a frown. "As soon as you go in, I'll get into contact with Mrs. Skywalker."

Anakin smiled in appreciation as Obi-Wan acknowledged Padme as his wife. "I love you, Obi-Wan. You've always been like a father to me."

"You've been like a son to me," Obi-Wan smiled in appreciation. "I love you too, Anakin."

"You can think of my children as your grandchildren," Anakin told Obi-Wan with a smile as Obi-Wan gave an appreciative smile.

"Thank you, Anakin, I'm honored," Obi-Wan answered as the door and Ahsoka stepped out with a worried expression.

"Be prepared to move fast," Anakin whispered as he took a deep breath as he turned his attention to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, I love you like a daughter. It was an honor being your master."

"Anakin, don't talk like this. I view you as a father and a brother, thank you for being a good master," Ahsoka whispered as she hugged Anakin. "Good luck."

"Thanks and you're welcome," Anakin returned the hug then stepped towards Palpatine's office. He had to keep his hand from hovering above his lightsaber hoping not to impose a confrontation but he suspected that time might be now.

Obi-Wan found a small quiet place, he took out a small device sweeping the room for listening devices. When he was satisfied there was none he pulled out his comlink punching in Padme's comlink frequency. She answered sounding concerned. "Padme, it's Obi-Wan."

"Obi-Wan, is everything all right?" Padme questioned. "Is Anakin okay?"

"Anakin is fine for the time being," Obi-Wan answered with a frown. "He's being debriefed by Palpatine. Ahsoka, Anakin and I went over what he would tell Palpatine ahead of time. I'm beginning to suspect we may need to move up the plan for taking Palpatine sooner then later."

"Does Anakin want me to bring the things?" Padme questioned in a curious tone. "I'll have the speeder prepped and ready in case we need to move fast. I don't want Palpatine knowing we have an upper advantage before we have a chance to put the plan into motion."

"I completely agree, have the speeder ready to go and wait for my signal," Obi-Wan spoke with a small smile.

"We'll be waiting, Obi-Wan," Padme cut the transmission short as Obi-Wan quickly left the room and headed back to the chancellors office. He glanced at Ahsoka questioning as she gave a worry smile.

"I've been keeping track of Sky Guy through the Force, so far he's mostly relaxed but a bit intense," Ahsoka reported. "Did it go well?"

"Better then expected," Obi-Wan answered honestly with a slight smile. "Padmes on standby."

"Good to know," Ahsoka whispered as she glanced at the door to the Chancellors office.

Obi-Wan hoped Anakin played his cool and didn't fall for anything Palpatine had to say. He had a feeling Anakin would say no, just for the fact his children told him everything. It sounded like the future depended on Anakin saying no.

Anakin entered the office as Palpatine gave a warming smile causing him to smile in turn. He was cringing on the inside, he could sense darkness surrounding Palpatine. It's the first time since he's known the man to sense this much darkness. "Your excellency, I'm here to be debriefed."

"Yes Anakin, its time for your debriefing," Palpatine agreed as his smile turned cold as Anakin suppressed the urge to shiver. "Is something wrong, my boy?"

"No, let's get this over with," Anakin answered with a slight frown as he watched Palpatine closely. Palpatine gestured to the chair in front of his desk as Anakin sat down and started to tell Palpatine everything Obi-Wan told him.

By the time Anakin was done, Palpatine looked a little surprised. Maybe he was expecting something else causing him to frown. "Is there something wrong, your excellency?"

"No, that will be all, Anakin, thank you," Palpatine stood up and walked to the window causing him to keep his guard up. Again he could sense Palpatine brushing his mind with his leaving behind a touch of coldness. He resisted the urge to shiver.

Anakin stood up and slowly walked towards the door as his danger sense flared. When he turned back towards Palpatine, the man had a red lightsaber extended as he quickly activated his just in time to intercept Palpatine's blade aimed at his head.

To be continued

Thanks for reading :)