Sorry that I have taken so much time with this. Talk about severe writers block! I'm trying to come up with another story, but I can't do that until I'm done with this one. Hopefully, the rest wont take such a long time!

Once again, I seek no profit from this story. The characters are the rightful property of Mr. Lucas, I'm just borrowing them.

Naboo…

Giving birth to the twins had been difficult for Padme. She had clung onto the hand of Bariss Offee through the difficult labor. Her insides felt as they were being torn asunder. Yet for some reason, all she could think about was her children's father. When he had left her, she felt as though he had taken her very soul. She had stared at herself for a long time afterwards, trying to understand the woman who stared back. That morning, after finding herself alone, Sergeants Sabe and Sache were the first to find her. She was still naked; her long curly hair cascaded in waves down her smooth creamy back. She had said nothing as they draped a warm blanket about her shoulders, even when they directed toward a transport, Padme said nothing. She merely stared at her hands, clenching and unclenching her fists.

Upon arriving at Theed, she had refused medical inspection. Sabe and Sashe were both perplexed, worried that their Commander and friend had been through a difficult ordeal and now refused any help, perhaps out of shame. They'd never seen her resolve and determination weakened. This new Padme perplexed and unsteadied them. Padme had chosen to lock herself in her room, wanting to get away from the stares her friends had given her, their eyes silently imploring her to come back to her senses. Yet Padme refused. She had let the warm blanket fall off her shoulders and stared at the nude women before her in the mirror. Gone was the woman she had been. Coldness crept within her breast as tears began falling down her smooth cheeks. She noticed bite marks below her collar, and pale blue marks on the perfect round globes of her breasts. She should be ashamed for what happened and yet all she could think about was the loneliness she felt at her lover's loss. Her lips that morning still felt bruised from his kisses.

And yet, she knew that she had to suppress her feelings. She knew that if there was a part of her that was to survive this emotional ordeal, she needed to be the same person who had the courage to step into that dark cell holding Darth Vader. She wanted to laugh. What a joke! His name cloaked the real person within. Yes, Vader was the monster sent out to destroy her, but who would have thought that the human being contained within was the real danger?

Degobah….

The cave was dark and cold. Snakes slithered in the ground. Anakin tried to focus his eyes on the darkness, yet the Force pulsing within him insisted that his eyes could not help him see what he alone must discover through his feelings. A light blazed inside. The red light of a saber whirled close to his head. Anakin instantly grabbed for his weapon, only to find himself without it. He could almost kick himself for being so careless. The saber closed in on him. Anakin jumped aside, calling upon the Force. Several rocks flew toward the clocked figure; only to have the figure easily block them with his saber. Anakin faced his attacker again. Upon closer inspection, the light of the red saber help reveal the face of his enemy. He gasped in surprise. The eyes that stared back at him shone like two red burning coals. They held no emotion. Anakin felt a cold draft chill his spine. This wasn't right. It couldn't be. How could be facing himself?

His other self lifted his saber again. Off in the distance he thought he heard the Emperor's malevolent voice whisper, "Kill him!" Anakin lounged for the saber, struggling with his own self for the weapon. As he felt gaining the upper hand, he managed to rip the saber from his opponents hands as the gleeful voice of the Emperor echoed through out the chambers walls.

Partially speared on by the Emperor's voice and his own resolve that he must destroy that other part of himself, Anakin severed his opponents head in one quick stroke. In the process he heard the scream of a woman in pain followed by the gleeful laughter of the Emperor. Anakin looked down at the body crumpled by his feet. It was no longer his other self that he had fought. Instead, it was a woman's headless body that lay by his feet. Padme! His mind screamed in horror. Anakin was not one to be afraid of anything, but for the first time in his life, he felt as though he was punched in the gut. He stumbled back against the cave's wall, shutting his eyes, knowing that it was but an illusion he had taken part of. 'This isn't real!' his mind screamed. 'Not Padme! Not her!'

Theed…

Obi Wan read the reports from Admiral Cronos on the last attacks on the Emperor's forces. Skywalker's named appeared more often in the reports. Because of him the Alliance was able to find Kamino and destroy the Emperor's endless supply of clones for his army. They've also helped scattered the troops across the Galaxy, weakening the Emperors power. More star systems were freed. Soon the entire Galaxy would enjoy their right to self govern. The last piece of the puzzle remained to be toppled form its perch. The need to find the Emperor increased every day. If the war was to come to an end, the Emperor must be destroyed. For that, Admiral Cronos pleaded with the last remaining Jedi to search out Skywalker. Part of Obi Wan felt insulted. He knew that the only person capable of that grand task was Master Yoda, but perhaps the Admiral might be right in this case. If Master Yoda's suspicions were correct, then this Skywalker could indeed bring balance to the Force. What worried Kenobi was the nagging suspicion that Vader and Skywalker was the same person.

Kenobi stroked his beard. "What a dilemma this is," he said to himself. "I must meditate on this and trust in the Force that Master Yoda's suspicions are correct."

Captain Sabe gave out last minute orders to the Rebel Squadron sent to hunt down the last supporters of the Emperor. "Arrest Nute Gunray and have him brought before our courts. He has a lot to answer for."

"Admiral Cronos reports that the attacks on several Empire ships have been successful," Captain Typho told her.

Sabe nodded in approval. More than ever she wished that Commander Padme was with them. On Naboo she was the Rebel's constant rock. She never seemed to loose her focus and continued to share everyone's desire to end the oppressive rule of the Empire and its supporters. No one had ever dreamed of questioning Padme's loyalties. Before that could happen, Sabe had taken charge of her friend's situation. The Alliance was under the impression that Padme survived her captor, but her injuries were such that she was forced into seclusion until she recuperated. That was the official story. Only the Jedi and Sabe and Sache knew the truth, or at least as much as Padme was willing to supply. They kept the birth of the twins a secret, knowing that being Force sensitive would leave them targets for the Empire.

"How is she?" Sache asked Offee.

It had been several days since Padme had given birth to the twins. Padme's health did not seem to improve.

"Her vital readings indicate that she's in perfect health, but she seems to deteriorate before our eyes," Offee replied.

"She's dying?" Sashe asked in surprised.

"We can't explain it," Offee said. "It seems as though she lost the will to live."

"That doesn't make sense!" exclaimed Sashe. "It's not like her to give up!"

"She has an overwhelming feeling of despair filling her heart," Offee informed.

"But her children must give her some comfort," Sache insisted. "They should be her reason to live!"

"In all of this," Offee said in an uneven tone, "lies the root of what transpired in that cottage."

"That monster attacked her!" Sashe bit out. "She's like this because of him! He tormented her beyond endurance."

Bariss Offee did not flinch as she said quietly, "There was no attack."

Sache's face drained of color. She was baffled. Surely the Jedi was wrong. What else could explain Padme's change?

"You saw…" Sashe began, trying to recall that horrible day.

"We saw nothing," Bariss replied.

"I don't understand." Sashe shook her head.

"We've all been too polite to say anything to her," Bariss said. "Master Yoda believes that her fate is inexplicably linked to Vaders."

"That… thing?" Sashe spat out, disgust filling her voice. "She couldn't possibly be dying because she… she…" Sashe couldn't get the words out; they choked in her throat. Instead she said, "Peace is imminent and all of this should be over soon."

"So say you all," Offee replied. "This war is far from over for some of us."

With those last words, Bariss left Sache standing there, frozen in her own fears.

A part of Padme was too tired to fight. She barely made out the figures of her children as Orfee presented them to her after their birth. Tears streamed down her eyes. Darkness began to engulf her and at that moment, between the light and the darkness, she could almost see Anakin stare back at her with a horrified expression in his eyes. She heard him yelling out her name.

"I'm so sorry!" her mind screamed out. "Anakin… I'm so sorry!"

Anakin Skywalker felt droplets of cold sweat soak his back. He had been flying though space what seemed innumerable hours. At that moment he thought he heard a voice calling him out in the distance. A sweet voice that filled his heart, but at the same time if felt as though it ripped his soul in half. Anakin felt like reaching out with his fingers through the deep recesses of space to stop the events he most dreaded from happening.

"I can't loose her!" he said out loud. "I can't!"

Obi Wan observed Padme's still form on the other side of the glass window. He felt the presence of Master Yoda approach him.

"She is still unwell," the older Master stated with a sigh.

"They're still working on her," replied Obi Wan, with a touch of worry in his voice. "She has been unable to recover since the birth of the twins two days ago. She may not survive this."

Yoda was thoughtful for a moment and then said, "In all of this Vader presence I sense. Have a task for you I do."

Kenobi looked down at the wise old Master, guessing what he might say.

"You want me to seek him out," Obi Wan added, crossing him arms. "We still don't know his motives Master."

"Think you he is a danger still, do you?"

Obi Wan was thoughtful for a while and then said, "I must confess that it's been a while since I've felt the darker side of the force. In my meditations, I've felt things change. As if things were creating…"

"A balance," Yoda finished.

"Only time will tell that outcome Master," Obi Wan said.

"Meditate I have as well, young one," Yoda said. "Still feel the Dark Side clouding everything. Difficult to see the future is."

"What would you have me do Master?" Obi Wan asked.

"Find Vader," he replied, tapping his walking stick lightly on the marble floor. "Do this, for I must go to Theed and offer council to the Queen."

"You want me to engage him?"

"Observe him. Speak with him you must. Don't think engaging him in battle will be necessary."

"If he is the Chosen One Master, then he has been the architect of this war turning in our favor."

Yoda continued to observe Padme's still form. "The Chosen one he may be," he said, "but has caused great pain to others in the process."

Anakin landed in the same clearing he had when he first came to Naboo all those months ago. He figured that if the strategy he used to infiltrate Naboo's atmosphere still worked, then there was no use changing his strategy now.

He let his deep desire for Padme guide him. Even now the passion he felt for her burned inside him. He was determined to find her and then… then what? He asked himself. He looked around the forest, planning how he would be able to get into the city without being detected. Maybe he should just charge into Theed, demanding to see her. Desperation gnawed his insides as he weighed his options. His best course of action was to go into Theed undetected and look for Padme. He tapped into the force, letting instinct guide him as he headed toward the city.

Commander Cody listened to the orders sent through the com link. He turned to the dark hooded figure next to him, waiting for further orders.

"At last the Emperor has chosen to get rid of Vader," the hooded figure said darkly. "At last I will have my revenge."

"What are your orders, sir?" Commander Cody asked.

"Wipe them out," Darth Maul commanded forcefully, looking out into the valley where the hidden Jedi temple lay. "All of them."

As Anakin reached the outskirts of Theed, he sensed a strong presence in the force approach him. He had detected that presence before. He turned around to face the approaching Jedi.

"You won't find her there, you know," he heard the older Jedi say.

"What do you know of it?" Anakin asked, his hands ready by his saber. "How did you find me?"

"We knew you were coming," replied Obi Wan. "This is where you came into Naboo last time, correct?"

"So far for not changing my approach," Anakin replied with a grimace. "So the small green guy sent you over."

"You mean Master Yoda," corrected Obi Wan, still appearing quite relaxed.

"Let me guess," he said, "He sent you to capture me."

"You really aren't that important you know," Obi Wan said, finding the young man quite arrogant.

"Tell me, why are you really here?"

"You seem to know," Anakin replied curtly, assessing the older Jedi.

"You can't take her, you know," Kenobi said.

That sent alarms in Anakin's head. Was this Jedi trying to taunt him?

"They call you The Negotiator, don't they?" Anakin asked. "Are you sure people weren't mistaken?"

"Taking the Commander is not negotiable," replied Obi Wan.

"I must see her!" insisted Anakin.

"Why?" asked Obi Wan. "Don't you think you've done enough?"

"What's happened to her!" Anakin exclaimed. "I won't let you keep her from me!"

""She may not want to see you," replied Obi Wan, finding himself quite irritated with the young man.

"I must see her!" Anakin insisted.

"You're still a wanted man, you know," Obi Wan reminded him. "

"Vader is," replied Anakin. "That is the name of my old self that I choose to forget."

"No one can turn from the Darkside," informed Obi Wan. "How do we know this isn't a trick?"

"You don't know," Anakin said. "With or without your permission, I'm going to find her."

"Why are you doing this?" Obi Wan asked calmly, studying the impatient young man.

Anakin assessed the older Jedi. He forced himself to calm down. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," Obi Wan replied. "Explain to me how someone in your position relinquishes so much power. You've practically handed the Emperor to his enemies. Why?"

A nerve on Anakin's face twitched. How dare the Jedi ask him to explain himself! A part of him wanted to strike the Jedi down and continue searching for Padme, but there was something about the Jedi that intrigued him.

"I can't explain it myself," Anakin replied, relaxing a little. "I couldn't do it anymore. I hated everything and everyone around me and I didn't even know why."

"That still doesn't explain your abrupt change," Obi Wan insisted, "Nor your interest in Padme."

Anakin tensed again. Why did he have to explain himself? He was perhaps more powerful than any Jedi, including the stubborn one facing him now. 'Maybe you're loosing your touch,' he told himself.

"I think you know," he said tersely to Obi Wan, thinking that perhaps the best way to deal with this Jedi was to speak honestly.

"Then there are a couple of things that you must be prepared to face," Obi Wan advised, surprising Anakin when he didn't press him any further. "Things that you need to know and things that we also need to know about you."

Anakin was feeling a bit irritated with this Jedi. "Listen," he said, "I'll tell you whatever you want, even the Emperors blood type, I don't care. I just need to know that she's ok."

Obi Wan was taken aback a bit by the young mans determination. He studied him for a while and finally said, "Follow me then. I'll take you to her."

The hidden Jedi temple in Naboo was a sacred place hidden deep inside the planets wild forests. The temple was difficult to locate and the way was only known by the Jedi and a selected few they chose to trust.

The black hooded figure watched the entrance to the temple. The troops at his command readied their weapons. He felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that the he would be the vehicle that helped the Emperor destroy the Jedi. The Emperor had always known where the temple lay. Why he didn't destroy the temple was a mystery. Stranger still was that the Emperor didn't even confide the location of the temple to Vader. Perhaps the Emperor already knew that his perfect killing machine would in the end betray him.

Darth Maul signaled the troops around him. He made sure that Master Yoda was far away in Theed in order for the slaughter of the other Jedi to begin. On his command the soldiers descended upon the temple. A rise of shouts and screams began to fill in the air as Darth Maul helped cut down the more powerful of the Jedi.

Obi Wan stopped and whirled around to face Anakin, his hand going to his weapon on his side.

"I sense it too," Anakin said, his hand already holding his own weapon. "There are Jedi being slaughtered."

"Will you help me?" Obi Wan asked, knowing that this was the moment in which Master Yoda's prophetic words were being tested. "We're close to the temple. Padme is there."

"Then what are we waiting for!" exclaimed Anakin. "We haven't a moment to loose!"

Bariss Offee knew that it was only a matter of time before the Stormtroopers broke past their defenses. Their communications had been cut a minute before the massacre of the Jedi had begun. She had raced toward the hospital wing of the temple, knowing that if anyone were to survive it was Commander Padme's children.

"Take the children to a safe haven," Offee commanded Captain Sabe. "We don't have much time!"

"How can this be?" Sabe cried out. "There was no way that we couldn't have seen them coming! The war is practically over! This can't be!"

"I told you that this isn't over for some of us!" cried out Offee. "You must take these children to safety! Already that monster is coming toward the few younglings here! Master Yoda won't be able to reach us on time!"

"And Commander Padme?"

"She'll only slow you down!" cried Offee, handing the small bundles to Sabe. "Go through the hidden portals I've shown you! Go, now!"

Sabe turned to see her unconscious friend lying on the medical bed. The children coed in her arms and seemed oblivious to the chaos around them. With tears in her eyes, Sabe forced herself to turn her back away from her friend and ran.