Author's Note: Happy early 4th of July to all the americans that celebrate it (I'm not one of them) and have fun eating yourself sick. Anyway the next chapter is when we start seeing some new material. By reading the chapter contents on the first chapter of this episode you can easily decipher which chapters are original content and which are from the movie. And as for those of you who've read the novel you'll recognize some of the other chapters that others may not recognize.
The Lure of the Dark
Side: Chronicle 1-The Turning of an Era
Episode V: Revenge of the Sith
Chapter 4: Happy ReunionsOutside the entrance of the Galactic Senate Building
Senator Padme Amidala had heard through Jedi Master Yoda, whom had came over to her house a few hours after she left the Jedi Temple, that Anakin and Obi-Wan along with Antellica were flying back from the Outer Rim to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous' deadly grip.
The purpose of Yoda's visit had been to make sure she was all right and to recount what had happened during Master Shaak Ti's failed rescue mission of the Chancellor. Yoda had said that she'd probably feel more comfortable recounting the happenings to him instead of the entire Council. Padme nodded at this, just to do it and recounted all that happened, with the exception of her slaughtering the Jedi of course. She told the frog that Arica had let her go for old time's sakes after stabbing her arms and kicking her to the ground. After thanking her, Master Yoda left and later informed her, along with all the other Senators of the Republic, around noon the next day that Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Antellica's rescue mission was a success and that they were now on their way to the Senate Building.
So here she was now awaiting their arrival behind a pillar in the entranceway to the building with her presence cloaked. She'd told Master Yoda that she wasn't going anywhere that day because of the events of the day before and how she wanted to rest. That of course wasn't true. The real reason she was hiding behind a pillar instead of waiting among her fellows was because she had no wish to recount the tale she'd told Yoda to everyone else who naturally would've heard something about it by now. She had 3P0 in the crowd though acting as her secretary. He was currently conversing with Senator Organa about something. The shuttle carrying the Chancellor and the Jedi arrived a few minutes later and Palpatine got off, soon followed by Anakin and R2. Anakin however didn't follow Palpatine over to the jumble of politicians that were now rushing towards the Chancellor in greeting. He stopped and looked back into the entrance of the shuttle where Obi-Wan now stood. The two of them were talking. She didn't dare eavesdrop though. Too many Jedi around. Master Windu, along with a few others she didn't recognize were also among the politicians.
After Anakin and Obi-Wan talked a few minutes Antellica came out of the shuttle and started whispering to Anakin. Padme blinked in surprise at this. Antellica was now practically as tall as Anakin. A moment later she kissed him on the cheek and boarded the shuttle once more. Anakin proceeded over towards the crowd and the shuttle took off with Antellica and Obi-Wan still aboard. This confused Padme as she saw it was heading to the Jedi Temple. She understood why Obi-Wan would go back to the temple, he lived there. But Antellica didn't. Why wasn't she with Anakin, looking for her? But she didn't let it bother her too much. She was sure Anakin would tell her.
Drawing her attention back over to the crowd Master Windu was now speaking with Palpatine.
"Chancellor Palpatine," he greeted with a slight bow. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, thanks to your three Jedi Knights. They killed Count Dooku. (What! Dooku's dead!) But General Grievous has escaped once again."
"General Grievous will run and hide like she always does," Windu said. "She's a coward."
"But with Count Dooku dead she is officially the new leader of the Confederacy of the Independent Systems. And I can assure you that the Senate will vote to continue the war as long as Grievous is alive."
"Then the Jedi Council will make finding Grievous our highest priority," Windu said stepping aside and allowing Palpatine to pass. They continued to talk but Padme was no longer interested in what they were saying. She couldn't help but let a victorious smile light her face at the thought of Dooku being dead.
Finally, but I wonder which one of the three actually killed him though? Anakin I'd assume.
She then turned her attention to Anakin himself who now walking and talking with Senator Organa.
"The Republic cannot praise you enough," Bail was saying.
"Thank you Senator Organa," Anakin said humbly.
"The end of Count Dooku is something many in the Senate have been hoping for a long time now."
Being that they were now about to pass the pillar she was hiding behind Padme uncloaked her presence and walked around the pillar a bit so Anakin could see her when he passed.
Anakin nodded to what Bail had just said. "Yes, but the fighting will continue until General Grievous is…well you know."
Anakin had spotted her when he paused slightly in his speech and she waved over at him with a broad smile.
"Well I will do everything I can in the Senate," Bail responded, oblivious to Padme's presence.
"Excuse me Senator," Anakin said with a slight overexcited smile.
"Certainly." Bail than proceeded on to catch up with the rest of the crowd. 3P0 and R2, conversing among themselves about getting tune-ups, followed the Alderaanian Senator.
As soon as Bail was quite far ahead Anakin ran to her and scooped her up into his arms. Lifting her into the air he twirled her around before than placing her back down and kissing her.
"Oh Anakin," she sighed happily, holding him tightly.
He buried his face in her hair and sighed. "I've missed you Padme."
Padme mentally cringed before putting on her 'I'm so in love, loving wife act.'
"There were whispers that you'd been killed."
He smiled at her lovingly. "I'm all right. Feels like we've been apart for a lifetime. And we might have been if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they ever would've brought us back from the Outer Rim Sieges."
He than made to kiss her again but Padme pulled away. "Wait, not here."
"Yes here. Look I'm tired of all the deception. I don't care if they know we're married."
Not this again.
"Anakin, don't say things like that," she ordered sharply before putting herself back into his embrace, pondering on how she was going to tell him. Some of her nervousness must've shown in her posture for Anakin released her and looked at her with concern.
"Are you all right?" he asked. "You're trembling. What's going on?"
Padme sighed deeply. "Something wonderful has happened." She paused and he nodded, encouraging her to continue. She decided than to just come out and say it. "Anakin, I'm pregnant."
The smile on his face disappeared and turned to a mixture of shock, happiness, and the realization of what this meant.
"That's-" Anakin started but interrupted himself with a sigh. He tried again. "That's-" Once again he interrupted himself with a deeper sigh this time. "Well that's-that's wonderful," he finally said and the warm smile returned.
Padme acted scared. "What are we going to do?"
Anakin grinned broadly. "We're not going to worry about anything right now, all right. This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."
He kissed her again and Padme suggested they go home unless of course he had anything to do at the Jedi Temple. He said no so they headed home.
On their way there Padme asked him about Antellica and why she didn't come with him.
"She said she wanted to give us a little privacy before she came home."
Padme scoffed at this. "Yes, but she does live there as well."
"That's what I said, but she insisted on it so…"
Padme nodded and they continued on their way.