Author's Note: This chapter is medium in length and features some of the novel, as well as new material.

Chapters 26-30 have been edited.

Something I'm really excited about is the makeover I'm giving to Episode IV. You can see the first of these changes in Ch.30. Much of the episode will be both deleted and added, including the names of the chapters within it. I'll later change the chapter titles in the table of contents on the opening page when I finish.

Reviews are always welcomed, even negative ones, just no profanity please. I'm sure whatever you have to say can be said without cursing.

In the next chapter, Obi-Wan's feelings for Antellica are danced around as he leaves for Utapau.

Chapter 61 chapter responses:

Booksaboutnothing: Sorry about the wait. But hey, at least you have something to look forward to.

G-Anakin 13: It's not that I don't want to tell you how she dies, it's just that it would reveal too much of the plot of Episodes VI-X. I know that's probably confusing to you, but her death is something of a climax to...well I won't say. Again, I know it's confusing, but if you're wondering if she survives this episode, then the answer is yes.

Sica Meni: Though the original opera scene was very well done, I thought it would be good to add some more information about the Sith and Sidious. It was kind of obvious, but then the way he was saying it, it might have made you believe that it wasn't him, but someone else. Maybe someone he knew, which is true from a certain point of view. Though Palpatine is his name, that personality is simply the cover while Sidious is the actual person. Call it a split personality since neither is alike. Kind of like with Padme a.k.a. Baynetta.
If you put Vader, Dooku, Baynetta, and Sidious in a room, Vader would triumph in killing them all. I say that for reasons only I know. (Catch the hint G-Anakin 13?)

The Lure of the Dark Side: Chronicle 1-The Turning of an Era

Episode V: Revenge of the Sith

Chapter 17: The Will of the Force

Baynetta was awaken the following morning by 3PO, informing her that Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi was currently waiting in the living room downstairs to speak with her. Utterly confused as to what he could want, and this early in the morning, she got out of bed and went downstairs. She found him with his back to her, hands clasped behind him as he drifted restlessly about the room, gazing with a abstracted lack of interest at her collection of rare sculptures.

"Obi-Wan!" she greeted, slightly breathless. "Has 3PO offered you anything to drink?"

He turned to her, a frown clearing on his brow. "Senator," he said warmly. "So good to see you again. I apologize for the early hour, and yes, your protocol droid has been quite insistent on offering me refreshment." His frown began to regather. "But as you may guess this is not a social call. I've come here to speak with you about Anakin."

"O-Kay." She did not once hide the confusion she felt. "I was very happy to hear of his appointment to the Council."

"Yes. It is perhaps less than he deserves-though I'm afraid it may be more than he can handle. Has he been to see you?"

"Several times," she said evenly. "But I didn't hear of his appointment to the Council through him. Chancellor Palpatine told me yesterday before doing so. But uh-I get the sense from you that something's wrong."

Obi-Wan tilted his head and a hint of a rueful smile showed through his beard. "You should've been a Jedi."

Baynetta laughed, amused by his comment. If only you knew. "And you should never go into politics. You're not very good at hiding your feelings. What's wrong?"

"It's Anakin." With his pretense of cheer fading away, he seemed to age before her eyes. He looked tired and profoundly troubled. "May I sit?"

"Please." She waved him to the couch and lowered herself onto its edge beside him.

"Is naughty little Anakin in trouble again?" she asked, adding humor to her tone.

He laughed dryly. "I certainly hope not. This is more…a personal matter."

She simply nodded while he shifted his weight uncomfortably. "He's been in a difficult position as the Chancellor's representative, but I think there's more to it than that. We-had words, yesterday, and we parted badly."

"And these words were…?" she asked.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you," he said with a vaguely apologetic frown. "Jedi business. You understand."

She inclined her head. "Of course."

"It's only that, I've been worried about him. I was hoping he may have talked to you."

"When he stopped by yesterday he was speaking of all the pressure he's under and the war and everything," she explained. "But, let's just say the chat didn't end at all well." She paused briefly. "We ended up getting in a fist fight."

Obi-Wan blinked, obviously thinking he misheard her. "I'm sorry?"

"He was arguing about nonsense and I didn't agree with what he was saying," she elaborated. "He just exploded. I've just never seen him so angry before. He was shouting at me and I told him to get out of my house. He refused to listen so I attacked him." She lifted her fist. "After kicking me in the stomach and me throwing a knife at him, he finally left, but not before continuously apologizing for hurting me."

She placed a hand on her stomach, which was cloaked to look flat, and sniffed, as if on the verge of tears. "I was in extreme pain all of yesterday because of that. I had to spend the rest of the day in my room, clutching pillows and sipping tea to ease the pain."

"I'm sorry to hear that Padme," Obi-Wan said reaching out a hand to touch her stomach. "Are you better now?"

"Oh yes, thank you, but getting back to what you were saying." She waved a hand for him to continue.

"Yes. Anakin is indeed under a great deal of pressure. I'm sorry to hear that he's taken out some of his frustration out on you, but he carries tremendous responsibilities for a man so young; when I was his age, I still had some years to go as a Padawan. He is, as I guess you could tell from his anger tantrum yesterday, changing. Quickly. And I have some anxiety about what he is changing into. It would be a…very great mistake…were he to leave the Jedi Order."

"You confuse me with your words Obi-Wan." She was looking at him in puzzlement. "Why would Anakin want to leave the Jedi Order? It's been his dream ever since a child to be a powerful Jedi Knight. Besides isn't he supposed to be this so-called 'Chosen One?'"

"Very probably," Obi-Wan replied. "But I have scanned this prophecy; it says only that a Chosen One will be born and bring balance to the Force; nowhere does it say he has to be a Jedi."

"But Qui-Gon-" she started.

"-Believed that it was the will of the Force that Anakin should be trained as a Jedi," he finished. "And we all have a certain, oh, I suppose you could call it a Jedi centric bias. It is a Jedi prophecy after all."

"True, but the Jedi do follow the will of the Force, correct?" she asked.

"Well yes, but you must understand that not even the Jedi knows all there is to be known about the Force; no mortal mind can. We speak of the will of the Force as someone ignorant of gravity might say it is the will of a river to flow to the ocean: it is a metaphor that describes our ignorance. The simple truth-"

"I don't mean to interrupt," she said, becoming quite bored with Obi-Wan's speech. "But what does this have to do with Anakin? And myself for that matter?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bore you," Obi-Wan said apologetically.

"That's all right. You should hear some of the people in Senate when they go on and on and on about things."

"Once again I do apologize."

She waved her hand and Obi-Wan continued. "I fear that some current…difficulty…has to do with your relationship."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean Obi-Wan," she said, looking confused. "What am I supposed to do, reject him? He is my friend after all."

"I can not tell you what to do, Padme, I can only ask you to consider Anakin's best interests. You know the two of you can never be together while he remains in the Order."

Baynetta's eyes flashed and she rose from the chair in fury. "How dare you accuse me of such treason!" she hissed. "Do you honestly think that I, a respected Senator, would be interested in being with some little Jedi boy!"

"I don't mean to anger you Padme. Really I don't. I do know however that Anakin has feelings for you-"

"And what makes you think I've returned those feelings or would even be interested in returning them!" she roared in anger. "Yes, I know Anakin likes me; loves me. But I'm sorry to say that the feelings aren't mutual!"

"Padme please, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you, please, sit down." He gestured pleadingly towards the spot she'd been sitting in a few moments earlier. She glared at him a moment before sitting back down.

"Just remember Padme that the Jedi are his family. The Order gives his life structure. It gives him a direction. You know how…undisciplined he can be."

Her only response was silence.

"If his true path leads him away from the Jedi, so be it. But please, for both your sakes, tread carefully. Be sure. Some decisions can never be reversed."

"I know that all too well," she said, thinking of her pregnancy. He nodded as though he understood, but of course he didn't. He'd never understand until it was too late. "We all do these days," he said softly.

A soft chiming came from within his robes. "Excuse me," he said and turned aside, producing a comlink from an inner pocket. "Yes…?"

A man's voice came thinly through the comlink, deep and clipped, one Baynetta recognized as Mace Windu's: "We are calling the Council into special session. We've located General Grievous!"

She softly snarled at the sound of triumph in Windu's voice.

Obi-Wan seemed not to notice, for he was equally pleased. "Thank you Master Windu," he said. "I'm on my way." He than turned back to find her staring off into space with an expressionless look.

"Padme," he said softly. Gently. Almost regretfully. "I will not tell the Council of this. Any of it. I'm very sorry to burden you with this, and I-I hope I haven't upset you too much. We have all been friends for so long…I hope we always will be."

"Yes. I'd like that too," she said a bit distantly, still refusing to look at him. She felt Obi-Wan rise from the chair. "Well I must be going."

She nodded, but than jerked her head at the sound of someone running down the stairs. It was Antellica; awake and fully dressed.

"What's going on here? I was awoken by the sound of shouts." She looked suspiciously around and than spotted…"Obi-Wan! What are you doing here! It's 0730!"

"That reminds me," he said with a snap of his fingers. "I knew there was another reason I came by." He turned to Antellica. "Master Gallia asked me to ask you if you didn't mind looking after the younglings, just for a few hours to keep them occupied while she picked up some supplies. We're running low."

"Sure. I don't mind. I'll just grab a piece of fruit and be off than."

Baynetta watched in slight irritation as Antellica ran off to the kitchen. Now that she was back from the outer rim sieges, the Senator wanted Antellica to resume her duties as handmaiden. She had the entire day planned for her, but no the Jedi just had to snatch her away again.

"Bye Padme," Antellica called as she ran out the kitchen and followed Obi-Wan out the door.

Baynetta's only response was a sarcastic wave.