Chapter 2 – To Reach the Goal
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD
Author's Note: I'm finally ready to continue releasing this fanfic! :D I'll be releasing weekly on Sundays. :P On Wednesday, I'm going to start releasing a different AU. ;)
~ Amina Gila
Anakin finds himself growing increasingly weary as the night goes on, but he refuses to stop and rest. He's no worse than the Jedi, and they aren't sleeping either. Besides, he's too troubled to sleep. He knows that if he messes up his master's plans, he – and his mother – will suffer. He cannot let that happen, and now, he needs to fix it, preferably without anyone learning.
He now knows that the Jedi are suspicious of him, thinking he might be the mysterious Jedi assassin. He is, but they can't know that. It would ruin the element of surprise and prevent him from remaining on Coruscant for extended periods of time. That would mean not being able to be with Padme, and he can't bear the thought of that. They think, from his recent behavior, that he hates them, which is true, but again, they cannot know. He doesn't always have the best handle on his temper, but he can improvise and learn.
Right now, he is willing to do both. Much as he loathes to admit it, he needs to apologize for his behavior as pass it off as stress or something equally believable. The Jedi must see him as a friend. It is not yet time for him to reveal himself as a dark side user. Friend. He can do that. He can deceive them. If his master can, then he can do it too. He's not incompetent. He resists the desire to reach out to the Force and let it soothe him. The Jedi cannot think him to be trained any more than they already do. It will not end well. For anyone.
He's drawn from his thoughts by a disturbance in the Force. He doesn't twitch, though he knows the Jedi sense it. Perfect. Jango Fett is doing his job well. "I feel something," hisses Obi-Wan from behind him, racing towards the doorway with Gallia right behind him. Anakin turns, following them at a quickened pace.
The two Jedi burst into Padme's room just as Artoo lets out a series of warning beeps to alert everyone. Obi-Wan throws out a hand, using the Force to push Jango's blaster when he fires, sending the poisonous dart into the wall instead. Anakin helped them select the appropriate weapon. If hit, Padme will only be rendered unconscious. Not killed. But Jango had specific orders to only attempt a killing, not actually carry it out.
The bounty hunter's jetpack fires, and he rockets away leaving the Jedi without any way of pursuit. Anakin hides a satisfied smirk. "He got away," Gallia reports, frowning.
Turning, Anakin looks at Padme, who is sitting in her bed, seeming oddly unalarmed. "Angel! Are you alright?" he demands worriedly as Obi-Wan retrieves the dart from the wall.
She gives him a tired smile. "I'm fine, Ani," she reassures him.
"Toxic dart," reports Obi-Wan, his brow furrowed. "In the morning, I will take this to the Temple to be analyzed."
And in the morning, Padme will be asked to leave Coruscant, Anakin thinks with a tinge of guilt. He knows how important the upcoming vote is to her, but he has orders, and he cannot shirk them, even if he wants to. "I'll stay with you, if you don't mind," Anakin suggests, resting a hand on her shoulder.
She glances at the two Jedi as well as Dorme and three bodyguards who rushed into the room at the commotion. "Yes," she agrees, laying back down. "Do that."
"M'Lady, are you alright?" worries Dorme, bending over next to her.
"Yes," mutters Padme, pulling the blanket up over her head. "I'm fine. Anakin will stay with me. I don't think they'll try anything again tonight."
"I agree," Anakin adds smoothly, stepping closer to her. He looks around the room. "Everyone can leave now," he orders. "The Senator is unharmed, and I will remain here in the off chance they try something again tonight."
He doesn't dare use a Force suggestion, but he knows everyone will follow his orders anyways. The Jedi don't look happy – and nor does anyone else, really – but they leave. Being Padme's fiancé certainly does make his current job easier. Sighing, he crawls under the blanket, curling up next to her with his back facing the window. She shifts into his embrace, and in a few minutes, they're sound asleep together.
**w**
"I'm sorry for my behavior last night," Anakin manages to say as the early morning sunlight creeps through the windows. He knows the Jedi will be leaving soon, but he didn't have a chance to talk to them any sooner. "I was under a lot of stress with the assassination attempt, and I was upset that the Chancellor didn't think me capable of protecting the Senator myself." There. That wasn't so hard, was it?
They glance at one another before focusing their attention on him once more. "I understand," Obi-Wan answers first, smiling lightly at him. "Don't worry about it."
Anakin lets a hint of relief show on his face. "I'm afraid I made a very bad impression," he admits, forcing just the right amount of sincerity into his words. "And I've never really gotten a chance to know Jedi, being so busy and all."
"I'm sure Master Kenobi would like to speak with you. I need to discuss something with the Senator before leaving," Gallia excuses herself. Anakin can hardly hold back the unease that springs up when she walks away. He doesn't want her to be alone with Padme, but right now, he clearly doesn't have a choice in the matter. Let it never be said that he's a terrible actor. Honestly, if he had the patience, he thinks he could pull off what his master is doing.
"You never learned about the Jedi?" queries Obi-Wan, surprise coloring his tone.
"I know about them," Anakin corrects. "What I don't know is the details about their lives. I know they are called peacekeepers, but I'm afraid the public knows very little about them as a whole. The people I know think the Jedi to be superior to the rest of us, and since you are a Jedi, I wanted to know more about the Order as an organization."
He doesn't really want to know much about them. He hates the Jedi, and he doubts anything Obi-Wan says will change that opinion. Still, part of him is somewhat curious. There was a time when he'd dreamed about being a Jedi Knight, and he sometimes wonders what life he'd have if he was one.
"We are peacekeepers," Obi-Wan says slowly. "We protect those who need our help, but there is only so much we can do. We have limited numbers, and the Senate reigns us in, preventing us from doing what we might otherwise be capable of."
"And yet, the Order has never fought against slavery," Anakin muses. It's still a sore subject for him, something he will never forgive the Jedi for. If they'd freed his mother in the first place, he would never have ended up in this situation. He would have a good life somewhere, whether on Coruscant or elsewhere, but he would still be free.
"I don't make the decisions," the Jedi answers after a few moments, "But I have come to disagree with much of what the Council is doing. I think we are too controlled by the Senate. Perhaps you could talk to your father about it and see if he agrees. We are meant to help people, not be workhorses for politicians."
"Perhaps," he agrees slowly. He'll never broach the subject with his master. If he even dares, he'll be electrocuted. That much he already knows. When it comes to the Jedi, his hands are tied, so even if he wanted to help – and he really doesn't – he wouldn't be able to.
"Maybe we could meet later to talk more in detail," suggests Obi-Wan. "I'm afraid we will not have the time today." Anakin catches the gleam of hope in his eyes, and he doesn't feel bad for squashing it.
"You could approach the Chancellor and speak to him," Anakin replies, shrugging slightly. "He has me very busy, and I'm only here because Padme needed me."
Obi-Wan's face registers disappointment for a second, before he carefully schools his expression to understanding. "Of course." Anakin pretends that it doesn't bother him. It shouldn't bother him if he just upset a Jedi, but he refuses to risk his master's wrath, especially for the sake of idle curiosity. He won't agree to meet Obi-Wan. He can't afford to.
He slowly inhales, glancing over at Gallia as she approaches them. "You need to be leaving," Anakin notes, "But perhaps we can talk again later at length?" He forces a polite smile, feigning hopefulness.
"Yes," smiles Obi-Wan. "I would like that."
Anakin keeps up the façade until the pair are far away from the apartment, finally letting his faked expression fall away. He turns, stalking across the room and glaring out the window, expression stormy. He hates that Obi-Wan can ignite unacceptable emotions within him like that. He's never been affected by anyone's emotions so deeply, save Padme and his mother. It's worse that the Force seems to hum its approval for him to get to know the Jedi. He won't do it.
Inhaling slowly, Anakin looks down at his right hand, fisting it hard enough for the mechanics to squeal in protest. He forces himself to remember the pain and desperation he felt when he lost it, immersing himself in the utter hatred and loathing he'd felt towards the Jedi at that moment. Finally, finally, he draws in the Dark Side for a brief moment, keeping himself carefully shielded, but allowing his eyes to bleed yellow. He is a Sith. For him, the Jedi will never be friends. Only enemies. Always enemies.
**w**
"I do not like this idea of hiding," Padme states firmly, scowling as she packs necessities into a bag along with Dorme.
Anakin nods silently. "I know, but don't worry. Now that the Council is investigating, it shouldn't be long before you can return."
Padme scowls, obviously not placated, and Anakin again feels a twinge of guilt. This is his fault, even if he wants to deny it. He was helping his master ensure that Padme left the planet. "I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided." She glances at him when he sighs.
"I know, Angel, I know," he replies wearily. "I'm sorry." Sorry for more things than she'll ever know.
She huffs. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Ani. This isn't your fault."
He swallows hard. If only she knew, what would she do then? "Will you send Dorme to replace you in the Senate?"
Padme purses her lips, turning to face her handmaid. "Yes," she replies slowly. "I think I shall. She knows my opinion on the bill, so she should be able to vote in my place without difficulties."
"Good," Anakin beams. "At least that's one less thing for you to concern yourself with. Are you almost ready to leave? The Chancellor will be seeing us off."
She nods, pausing suddenly, probably as his last sentence sinks in. "He doesn't need to do that."
Anakin shrugs awkwardly. "He's my father you know…" he fumbles for an explanation for the unusual behavior. In truth, he knows the only reason his master will be there is to ensure that he remembers his place and to give him some final last-minute warning or mission. He shudders to think of what might happen should he make a mistake.
If Padme notices his uneasy expression, she doesn't comment on it. "Alright," she finally mutters. "I'm done here. It's time for us to leave for the spaceport. We wouldn't want to keep the Chancellor waiting." He notices the sarcasm in her voice, but he doesn't comment. He agrees with her sentiments exactly, though not for the same reasons.
"M'Lady, I got a message from the Jedi," Dorme interrupts quietly, biting her lip. Anakin can feel her nervousness through the Force. "They are sending someone with you."
"I don't need a Jedi tagalong!" Anakin spits out, miffed. "I can protect Padme just fine! Why can no one accept that?"
"Ani, they just want to keep me safe," Padme soothes. "I know you might rather just go with the two of us, but whoever is coming will just be a bodyguard." She smiles encouragingly. "We will still have our private time, don't you worry."
"I – fine," he grumbles, inwardly grateful that Padme is able to help him even if she's upset. Never once has she questioned his animosity towards the Jedi. She seems to intuitively understand that it is caused, in part at least, by their rejection of him.
"I believe the speeder to take you to the spaceport is here, M'Lady," Dorme tells Padme. "You should be going now. I have the bags for both of you."
"Come, Angel," murmurs Anakin, taking Padme's arm to escort her to the speeder. It maybe should be more alarming how he can go from annoyed to passive in a matter of minutes, but it's not. He knows he doesn't have the best temper, but he does what he can to control it.
**w**
They reach the spaceport, dressed in peasant clothing to blend in with the other travelers. By then, Padme's mood has significantly calmed, and she seems far more eager to leave and less likely to sneak away and hide so she can stay. People are bustling about with various activity all around them. Anakin leads Padme towards the group waiting to see them off. They came separately so as to attract less attention.
He stops before Captain Typho and Dorme, who is now dressed like a Senator. Chancellor Palpatine along with two private bodyguards are next to them. Off to the side, he notices Obi-Wan along with a young Togruta girl who looks less than happy to be here. He doesn't pay them any heed, knowing that everything will be soon explained. The sooner they get off Coruscant the better. He has little desire to stay on planet any longer.
Captain Typho is holding their luggage. "Be safe, M'Lady," he tells Padme as he hands the bags to Anakin, who takes them.
"Thank you, Captain," Padme replies. "Take good care of Dorme. The threat's on you two now."
"He'll be safe with me," Dorme interjects. Anakin can feel her worry. She's is willing to take the risk of assassination, but she fears for Padme's safety. He can admire Nubian handmaids in that way. They are selfless and caring for whoever they are currently serving.
Padme laughs softly, pulling Dorme into a hug. The handmaid begins crying quietly as she hugs her. "You'll be fine," Padme assures her.
"It's not me, M'Lady," Dorme answers tearfully. "I worry about you. What if they realize I'm not you?" She leaves the unspoken what if they go after you on Naboo unsaid.
"Then Anakin will protect me, of course," Padme says, as though it's the most obvious thing in the galaxy, which it is.
"Of course," she murmurs, giving Anakin a soft smile.
"It is such a pity that you have to leave at this important time, my dear," Palpatine declares stepping forward towards Padme, "But I am sure you can understand. The Republic cannot afford to lose a Senator such as yourself. You will be much safer on Naboo with my son."
"I know," Padme answers, a look of faint distress on her face. "I fear what will happen in the Senate while I am gone. I have given Dorme instructions, but there is only so much she can do without my presence. She can cast a vote, but she cannot make important decisions without my help."
"Everything will be fine," Palpatine reassures her. "I will see to it that you are back here within a week. The Jedi will certainly listen to a request from me personally." He pauses a moment, eyes drifting towards Obi-Wan. "When the Council suggested that you leave, they asked to send a Jedi with you to help ensure your safety. They do not feel Anakin is capable of protecting you, though I have no doubt that he is."
He meets Anakin's eyes for a moment, and Anakin can nearly see the gears whirling in his mind. He tenses involuntarily. He has no desire to upset his master and cause a scene, though he knows one will certainly transpire if it will aid his master's goals in the long term.
Hearing the Chancellor's words, Obi-Wan steps forward, the Togruta trailing behind him. "I am sending Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano with you," the Jedi tells Padme. "She is capable, and I'm sure you will enjoy her company."
He nudges her gently, and she finally walks over to them, forcing a smile on her face as she bows slightly. "You won't even notice me," she tells them flatly, probably guessing that they don't really want her there. Anakin examines her silently, noting that she seems upset about something. He'll have to probe later and see if he learns anything useful.
A moment later, his master pulls him aside. "You are doing well, Anakin," he praises, a smile on his face which is a tad too sinister for Anakin's liking. "Be careful on Naboo. We wouldn't want to attract any unnecessary attention, and I would suggest you stay with your mother. You have earned yourself a visit with her, and I'm sure she would love to meet your fiancée."
"I understand," Anakin answers quietly. He knows better than to give any indications as to their true relationship in front of the others. He pauses briefly before turning to face Padme. "Time to go," he tells her, tightening his grip on the luggage.
She smiles wanly. "I know." She hugs Dorme one last time before following Anakin towards the speeder bus which will take them onto the starfreighter. Ahsoka slowly follows behind them, and Anakin again gets the impression that she doesn't want to be here. He supposes they will have plenty of time to talk during the journey.
"May the Force be with you, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan calls after them.
Ahsoka pauses, throwing a smile at the Jedi. "May the Force be with you, Master Obi-Wan."
Anakin resists the urge to roll his eyes. He'll never understand why the Jedi say that. When has the Force ever not been with them, even if they don't understand what it is telling them? He's pulled from his sardonic thoughts by Padme's voice. "Suddenly, I'm afraid," she murmurs, slipping her hand onto his arm.
He glances at her fondly. "I'm kinda scared too, but don't worry. I'll protect you," he whispers gently. "The Chancellor wants us to stay with my mother. I think she would like to get to know you." Actually, he knows she does. She'd asked him the last time he visited her if he would be able to introduce her to Padme properly.
"We have nothing to worry about," Padme tells him after a moment. "We have Artoo and Ahsoka with us. We'll be fine."
Anakin laughs softly, looking at the astromech rolling along behind him. "You're right, Angel. We'll be fine."