Disclaimer: George Lucas, Lucasfilm, and Disney own star wars.

Chapter 3

They dropped out of hyperspace, Coruscant in sight, and set a course directly for the senate. They had decided on a plan during the journey. Obi-Wan and the other Jedi would fight the chancellor while Anakin stayed away and went in search of Padmè herself.

They sped through the atmosphere, their starship emitting an emergency passage signal that caused other craft to move from their path. They landed on the roof, met by master Yoda.

"Below, the others are. In his office, the sith is."

"Thank you master," Obi-Wan replied. "We will defeat him, Anakin will go seek Padmè while we do."

"Discuss that another time, we will, young skywalker. With him, he is keeping get her."

Anakin exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan. Their plan had been to keep Anakin away from the sith lord, but both knew he would go straight for her. He would have to face the chancellor himself, but he would have help.

They raced down to the chancellor's office, pausing only for Anakin to be handed his light saber. As they neared the doors, Anakin rushed forward, telling the others to get Padmè out while he distracted Palpatine.

"Ahh, young skywalker, you arrive at last," said Palpatine, turning as Anakin entered, a dozen Jedi behind.

He spared a quick glance for Padmè, seeing her standing stiffly in a corner. Worry and fear a mask on her beautiful features. She tried to speak, but he sensed that she was bound in the force.

"Release her."

"I think not, my young apprentice."

"I am not your apprentice sith."

"Then I'm afraid she must die," Palpatine said, a light saber appearing in his hands.

Drawing on the force, Anakin jumped between Palpatine and Padmè, igniting his blade as he landed and meeting Palpatine, his blue blade thrusting against the red. He attacked furiously, pushing Palpatine back, and back again, their blades a blur that made a wall of light between them. He dimly sensed the others behind him, trying to free his beloved.

Seeing the Jedi attempt to free Padmè, the chancellor force jumped and scythe into them, felling them quickly and lunging for Padmè.

Anakin screamed, force jumping between them as Yoda, Obi-Wan, and the others rushed in. He heard a scream behind him, saw the gloating face of the emperor before him as he turned to eat the Jedi rushing from behind. He moved to swing his light saber, but found he couldn't move. He felt the hilt drop from his hand and looked down, stunned to see a wound there, in his chest. A wound from a light saber.

His knees buckled as he fell. He landed hard on his back, struggling to breathe as he turned his head to Padmè. He could see the shock on her face as she stared at him, struggling to move. Lost in her gaze, he was dimly aware of the battle still raging as he fought to stay alive. Each breath was it's own agony, but he had to see her free.

Suddenly a cry sounded nearby and her knees buckled, free of the force wall that had been holding her. He knew the Chancellor must have been defeated, but payed it no mind as she crawled to him, her beautiful eyes wide.

"Ani!" she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cradled his head in her lap.

"It…it is…alright," he replied, his strength draining quickly, "I…I love you."

"Anakin NO!" she screamed as he went limp in her arms, his breaths coming shorter before stopping. She shook him, hitting his chest, "ANAKIN WAKE UP! DON'T DIE ON ME!"

When he didn't respond, she froze, throat constricting. A hand touched her shoulder, but she didn't respond as she stared at her husband, dead in her arms.

"He's gone," a voice whispered.

It was too much, she couldn't believe it. Not Anakin, not her Anakin. As the reality hot her, she threw back her head and screamed.

Obi-Wan watched, his heart sinking as Padmè screams of grief echoed in the large office. His own grief threatening to overtake him. He had seen Anakin leap in front of the sith as he went for her, taking the light saber meant for Padmè. He had reached them just as Palpatine turned a day did something he had only done once before. He let the rage loose as he fought. Joined by Yoda and master Windu, the force guided their attack as they pushed him away from Anakin. The remaining Jedi remaining behind, forming a living wall between them.

Facing the three of them together, the sith strength began to flag as he was worn down. He had fought well, but could not win, falling to Yoda green blade.

Now he felt the tears begin to fall. He knelt beside the body of his friend, his brother, as Padmè screams died and turned to helpless sobbing. She clutched him as if afraid he would be taken from her, and pressed her head to his chest. The others bowed their heads solemnly.

After what seemed like hours, her shuddering sobs slowed and stopped. She raised her head and stared at Anakin. Obi-Wan felt the force guiding him and raised his head, pushed to watch though he wanted to resist. He felt the force pushing the others to do the same as the pressure seemed to increase in the room. He knew the others felt it too, the force was pushing them all.

Slowly, hesitantly, Padmè lowered her head to Anakin's. She paused a moment, eyes closed, before her lips met his. Instantly, she tensed and froze, Anakin's body arched under her. Obi-Wan moved to see to her, but he found he could not move, captivated, as he low hum began emanating from around them. A golden light, dull at first, but brightening, shone from them. The light grew in intensity until Obi-Wan and the others had to turn and shield their eyes.

Padmè froze as her lips met his, wanting to kiss him one last time, as every memory she had with him coursed through her. The river of memories poured across her mind, each more real than the last. She felt him move under her, but thought it her imagination. Suddenly she couldn't move at all. She could feel every tear against her skin, hear every breath she drew.

After an eternity, she felt another breath, one that wasn't hers. Her heart surged as she felt his chest rise under her hand once, then again, and again. She nearly pulled back to see what was happening when she felt his lips move against hers. Without thinking, she deepened the kiss, holding him until the need for air forced her back.

When she pulled back, she saw his eyes blink, then open, drinking her in, and his hand rise, cupping her cheek.

He opened his eyes, dimly aware of a fading pain in his chest. He wished their kiss hadn't ended, but dismissed the thought as his eyes draft know her in, her features a mix of sorrow, shock, and joy as the tears began to flow again. He cupped her cheek and locked eyes with her, content to savor the moment.

Obi-Wan blinked as the light died, the hum he had heard fading. He tentatively began to turn, afraid of what he would see. When he did, his eyes widened and his jaw went slack. Anakin had cupped Padmè's cheek, his chest rising and falling with breath as his eyes locked with hers. He could see the tear where Anakin's wound was, but no sign of the wound itself. How was this possible, he had felt his friend's death. He could feel the shock and surprise of those around him, as palpable as his own.

He had only strength for one word, "How?"